Talking Reformasi with Tan Jo Hann

September 20, 1998 was a fateful day for Malaysia; its Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim was sacked from the government.

The sacking ignited protests and brought about the Reformasi movement which called for government reforms, in particular targeting corruption and cronyism. Their target was then Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

This year is the 15th anniversary of Reformasi. To mark the occasion, we speak to activists and asked them what Reformasi is to them, then and now.

First of is Tan Jo Hann who has been an activist since his teens. During the height of the protests and demonstrations, he was in the Bakun area of Sarawak taking it all in with the people about to be displaced by a damn.

Tan as been actively involved in Persatuan Masyarakat Selangor (PERMAS) which is focussed on issues concerning housing for the urban poor and displaced persons.

He is also a director of Pusat Komas, an organisation that assists other NGOs in the use of popular media for their messaging.

Tan has also served as State councillor following the Pakatan Rakyat coalition winning the state of Selangor at the 12th General Election in 2008.