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Coverage by: Malaysiakini
Corruption buster Cynthia Gabriel is the US Embassy Kuala Lumpur’s nominee for the 2022 International Women of Courage Award.
In conjunction with International Women’s Day, the US Embassy said it is proud to honour Gabriel, the founder of Center to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), as its nominee.
“The US Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award honours women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to improve the lives of others,” said the embassy in a letter to editors.
The embassy said Gabriel (above) is a “key human rights advocate and anti-corruption leader” who has shed light on multiple corruption scandals.
“She has spent her professional life advancing and promoting human rights, good governance, rule of law, anti-corruption, and democratic freedoms by combining her scientific and legal knowledge in her advocacy work.
“Gabriel founded the C4 to promote good governance and combat corruption,” the embassy added.
‘Honoured and humbled’
Asked to comment, Gabriel said she was honoured and humbled to learn of this nomination.
“It is a timely, important recognition for the daunting and difficult work of all corruption busters in this country.
“Our work is far from over as corruption continues to plague the country. I hope this recognition will propel us further in this fight against one of the country’s worst diseases,” she added.
Gabriel, formerly a director in Suaram, was also the key person in the Scorpene corruption case that has been an ongoing judicial investigation in France since 2012.
The International Women of Courage Award is an initiative to bring international attention and support to women who have worked tirelessly to improve their communities and inspire fellow citizens, noted the embassy.
Every year, US diplomatic missions nominate a woman of courage from their respective host countries and finalists are selected and approved by senior US State Department officials, said the embassy.
Past winners and nominees of the award in Malaysia include human rights advocate Ambiga Sreenevasan; Susanna Liew, the spouse of enforced disappearance victim pastor Raymond Koh; transgender activist Nisha Ayub; M Indira Gandhi, who is fighting against the unilateral conversion of her daughter; and Undi18’s Qyira Yusri.
