Malaysia's Family Law Bill that grossly violates

Submitted by Sumitra (Singapore), Dec 30, 2005 at 11:53

An Islamic Family Law Bill that discriminates the rights of Muslim women has just been passed in Malaysia. The Bill is a gross violation on the basic principles of democracy; that is the right to choose and the right to live free of gender discrimination.

What's the point of voting in Parliament then when the outcome is already known. Female senators who oppose the bill are warned to "vote and make sure the Bill must go through".

The dictatorial style of forcing the vote through despite concerns from within the government and the public is disappointing. It is irresponsible, inefficient and a waste of the taxpayers' money.

The law will have a huge detrimental effect on the lives of Muslim women in Malaysia. Is the Malaysian government really moving towards creating a gender-equal society with the passing of laws that make divorce and polygamy easier for men?

The law has also a built-in clause on the non-payment of maintenance by husbands. Is is really in the interest of the women that polygamous husbands have the right to claim a share of
their wife's property?

Yet the Government says the law is in the interest of the women. Once again, taqiyya at its best again!

What's next especially for the dwindling numbers of non Muslims in Malaysia?

One would have thought Malaysia has finally begun to take steps in the right direction with the protection of human rights with the recent Abu Graib style ear-squat incident and 2005 would end on a high note.

How wrong.

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