THE recent announcement by Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam that Muslim children in the state will be allowed to marry just boggles the mind. According to Ali Rustam, who is also Malacca Islamic Religious Council chairperson, allowing child marriages will help curb teenage pregnancy and baby dumping, and prevent pregnant teenagers from […]
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Bung Mokhtar: Lawmaker or breaker?
By Ding Jo-AnnProtestors outside the Gombak Timur Syariah Court (pic courtesy of Women’s Aid Organisation) “(Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin) is a lawmaker and he is breaking the law, but the way the issue is highlighted makes it seem like there’s nothing wrong.” “(He) should step down and should not represent Malaysians (in Parliament) any more. That would […]
WAO: No hidden agenda
By Ding Jo-AnnKUALA LUMPUR, 17 Sept 2009: The Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) has strongly denied any hidden agenda in calling for concrete action to be taken against the rape of Penan women and girls, as implied by Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. In a statement today, the WAO stressed that it was part of its responsibility as […]
Penan task force report “not available”
By Zedeck SiewPenan child (all pics courtesy of Sofiyah Israa / Flickr) PETALING JAYA, 21 Aug 2009: Despite Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil’s pledge, the Penan task force report is still not available, not even to “interested parties” visiting her ministry. Attempts by The Nut Graph yesterday — following the minister’s promise […]
The terror of government silence
By Jacqueline Ann SurinPenan child (© Robin Hanbury-Tenison/Survival, pic courtesy of Survival International) DATUK Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil was the perfect picture of concern and care on the front page of The Star newspaper on 28 May 2009. The newly re-appointed women, family and community development minister was photographed at the Serdang Hospital with a five-year-old child who […]
“Penan task force report must be public”
By Zedeck SiewPETALING JAYA, 27 May 2009: The task force report on sexual violence against Penan girls and women must be made public and not just disclosed partially, two women’s groups said today. “It is imperative that the government makes public the Penan task force report,” Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) executive director Ivy Josiah told The Nut […]
Unclear if Penan report will be public (Updated 5.20pm)
By Zedeck SiewUpdated 5.20pm on 26 May 2009 KUALA LUMPUR, 26 May 2009: It remains unclear if the 2008 government-led task force report about sexual violence against Penan women and girls will be made public. Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil said the report has reached her desk and was ready for […]
Proposal to check sexist MPs lauded
By Elizabeth LooiPETALING JAYA: Wanita MCA’s proposal for a code of conduct to check on sexist and indecent behaviour among parliamentarians has received support from several women’s groups. But some remain suspicious of the movement’s motives in bringing the matter up now. Chew Mei FunWanita chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun had announced on 14 Dec that […]
