An insult to our intelligence

Do they acknowledge the difference in severity: Kartika is to be whipped and fined RM5000 for drinking beer but the man who leaves his wife and kids and mistreats her is only fined RM1000? Do they notice the inconsistencies and injustice?

Mariam Mokhtar, Malaysian Mirror

It has become something of a ritual lately that when certain Muslim NGOs run scared of a good debate, they eagerly go about making police reports.

Events of the past week have raised urgent questions about the political leadership in Malaysia. When various NGOs and Majlis Agama Islam Selangor (MAIS) lodged a police report against The Star's managing editor, P Gunasegaran, they said that he had no right to comment about Islamic matters because he is not a Muslim.

I disagree. As a Malaysian, his contribution is of immense importance.

In fact, there should be more voices to debate the issue. According to these protesting NGOs, I satisfy their requirements to comment on Islamic matters. However, I wouldn't be surprised to find that they will deem me unsuitable because I am not sufficiently scholarly in Islamic matters or that I am a woman. Therefore, just as Gunasegaran surmised, these issues have to be urgently aired.

Isn't it deplorable that a non-Muslim highlighted the inconsistencies with which our dual-system laws are interpreted? It shows how Muslims in Malaysia have been cowed into submission and have become fearful of taking the initiative.

Islam is also about critical thinking, reasoning and understanding. It was never meant to be by dogma and doctrine. What or who, do these NGOs and MAIS fear? Why are they acting like the class bully? A great debate will do our politicised religion a world of good.

Gunasegaran brought up valid points in his article and it is only by intelligent discourse that we are able to find amicable answers. Lodging police reports just shows the impotence of these NGOs and MAIS. Their apparent failure to act with dignity and intellect, fails Muslims in our country. Our political leaders, including the Minister for Women Family and Community Development, have not been expansive on these issues, and that is deplorable.

We are moving backwards

I remember a time when all of us lived under the one umbrella called Malaysia and got on well enough, regardless of our race, religion or gender. No one's saying we shouldn't move on from those good old days.

We have. Backwards! It seems that in Malaysia today, Muslim women's lives are under a microscope. When compared with their non-Muslim counterparts, they have relatively little freedom. The downside of this is that Muslim women will build up a lot of resentment. Is it any wonder that Malay women go abroad to find their first taste of freedom liberating; that some are unable to control themselves?

Somehow, I fail to see how the article 'Persuasion, no compulsion', would stir discontent among Muslims. Any unease surfaced days earlier, on Feb 9, when it was announced for the first time that three women had been whipped in Kajang.

All along, Malaysians were under the impression that Kartika, who consumed beer in public, was the first woman to be caned. How is it that none of the NGOs and women organisations was made aware of the plight of these women? To date, the only information we have is that they gave themselves up voluntarily, were 'pleased' to be whipped, and repented for their sins.

No information has been divulged about the men with whom these women had sex? Would it be possible for women organisations to have access to these women to check on their well-being? Did anyone know if they had legal representation and were able to exercise their full-rights? Or were they like lambs to the slaughter, and made show-case examples in a vain attempt to show us the might of the male sex, the might of the religious authorities and the authoritative indefatigable stamp of Islam in our society?

The furore and the international condemnation that ensued have caused a lot of backpedalling from our authorities, with a conference of caning to be hastily arranged. Taxpayers' money must not be wasted on this futile exercise. The answers can be found in this country and not from international participants. Moreover, the whipping laws have already been passed. Any discussion should have been done before implementation.

Some of the questions which we asked, but are denied answers, are simple ones such as why the women were whipped because of syariah law, even though civil law forbids it? Why did the women receive the harshest punishment, which is whipping? Why were they not given any consideration as first offenders, with fines or community service as alternatives?

Making a point

Are these religious authorities trying to make a point – that the government of the day is endorsing its Islamic identity? It is pathetic to use four (including Kartika) hapless women as pawns in their power-game. It is equally deplorable to waste police, as well as the Home Ministry's time to search for Gunasegaran's 'hidden motive' for the article he wrote? Do they think these institutions have nothing better to do?

If the ulama have so much time on their hands, they might care to reflect on the comments of Shahrizat that decaying family values and absentee fathers were compounding the problems in Muslim/Malay society. Maybe the state syariah bodies should finally sit down and formulate solutions to address these social breakdowns?

They could also decide when to standardise our syariah laws, which currently differ from state to state, and plug the various loopholes which men take advantage of.

Furthermore, they could reassess the enforcement and raids of the religious police so they are conducted with less crudity, which strips people of their dignity. They might wish to reflect on individual human rights, too.

There is so much that these Muslim NGOs and the ulama could constructively do rather than be overly sensitive to statements from individuals.

If anyone has insulted the religion and brought it into disrepute, it is these NGOs and MAIS.

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Comments (23) Add Comment

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written by lynn, March 03, 2010 09:15:14

Better My,
It would be safer not to comment on the oppression of Muslim women. I know what you mean, but sorry, it is pointless. Muslim men must stand up and fight for their womenfolk - unless you want to speak in generalised terms, abt fighting for women's rights? I have seen many cases of Malay women, with a handful of toddlers & very young children, no money to buy milk - it's sad & terrible - I once approached an umno division for help to aid a malay widow with 9 kids. The men at this umno division in klang were hostile and finally told me to FCUK OFF. I did. (After I gave her groceries & cash).

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written by Better My, March 02, 2010 20:36:48

To female muslim woman, (written by Cobweb76, March 02, 2010 06:18:42 )
"When I heard a female UMNO politician said, women cannot become menteri besar, I was so shocked I didn't know I should shout in anger or laugh for the sheer stupidity of this silly woman's comment. xxxxxxx . I wish I could write as well as she does and hope more and more Muslim women would be brave and speak up like Mariam did."

If you have written half as good in Egnlish as in your comment, I would stil say you have written very well. It is the message that we want to hear from you/women, not the perfect English construction/spelling - that's immaterial, the least interest to most of us.

Muslim men, including many chinese chauvinisitic males, need to hear you, loud and clear.
Women need to join you and Mariam M for a much better women world in post alternative government formation.

Please continue to voice your views as a female muslim, a rare breed in the MT, I believe.
thank you.

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written by Cobweb76, March 02, 2010 19:18:42

When I heard a female UMNO politician said, women cannot become menteri besar, I was so shocked I didn't know I should shout in anger or laugh for the sheer stupidity of this silly woman's comment. I am no feminist, but sometimes I do feel like I want to burn a bra or two in protest when I hear about womens' plight particularly in Malaysia at the moment. But I get it... physically and hormonally we are different but do not insult our (women) intelligence. With women like this dumb female politician being voted in the government, no wonder women in Malaysia are mistreated still. I rarely see an article like this and as a Muslim I aplaud the writer for her bravery. I wish I could write as well as she does and hope more and more Muslim women would be brave and speak up like Mariam did.

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written by Better My, March 02, 2010 19:09:11

Dear Mariam Mokhtar,

I beg of you to write more on women injustice. Your injustice articles are too few, too far in between.
Find ways to reach the women masses.

All women have to play their part to get to the great Malaysia goal. Then the journey can begin to free themselves of the decades old shackles of "imprisonment.

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written by DPG, March 02, 2010 11:56:50

From what I have seen and been reading, it appears that Muslim women accept what their male muslims say, after all, Islam is controlled by men, acting as God's agents, or playing God. Muslim women, generally, accept that these Muslim men are God's agents. And it is because that there are not many Muslim women who are deeply schooled or learned enough about Islam. At one time, many years ago, Pakistan women objected to Pakistan being an Islamic state, due to the very low status of women in Islam. Of course, Pakistan women do not have much in how Islam is administered in Pakistan.

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written by Better My, March 02, 2010 08:05:23

Is there all the women of malaysia and readers of this MT have to say here? as of now, 17 comments, mostly from men.

You are agreeing to the unjust punishments dished out to you, the women? Speak out loud and clear for your childlren and god sake.

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written by albert zacharias, March 02, 2010 06:26:44

RPK already said... if they screw their women slaves there is no sin, but if they commit adulter... they will be stoned to death. Tak faham lah.

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written by Lucius, March 02, 2010 03:52:44

"Do they acknowledge the difference in severity: Kartika is to be whipped and fined RM5000 for drinking beer but the man who leaves his wife and kids and mistreats her is only fined RM1000? Do they notice the inconsistencies and injustice?"

Which Islamic country is unlike Malaysia? Which Islamic country has not treated her women like 2nd class citizen and subject them to unfairness? Which Islamic country has not persecuted her minority who aren't Muslim? Which Islamic country is not corrupted to the core? If all the Islamic countries are doing and practicing the same thing, there could be only one truth. That is just simply the teaching of Islam. Therefore to be strict, Mr. Mariam Mokhtar should be the one who is wrong about Islam, not the Muslim like UMNOs. Because, this is what Islam all about.

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written by storm62, March 02, 2010 01:40:00

Well, we have seen how melayu umno betrayed and used Islam for holding power in Malaysia and they claimed to be fighting for Islam? They brought shame to Islam and our Country, arrogantly !!!

and THAT is a real insult to our intelligence !!!

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written by Davy McChester, March 02, 2010 00:54:10

Mariam Mokhtar, Malaysian Mirror ended with this: "Islam is also about critical thinking, reasoning and understanding. It was never meant to be by dogma and doctrine. What or who, do these NGOs and MAIS fear? Why are they acting like the class bully? A great debate will do our politicised religion a world of good"
Well said ! But critical thinking by this people got them a death fatwa: Ayaan Hirsi Ali , Salman Rushdie ,Taslima Nasrin, Wafa Sultan ,Ali Sina ,Anwar Sheikh ,Ibn Warraq.
Imagine UMNOputras letting the leash loose from the noses of the MSM morons and heralding critical thinking, reasoning and understanding !
What a wonderful country Malaysia would become !

The double standards are pernicious and shameful to the intelligence of any thinking human being

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written by arazak, March 02, 2010 00:15:51

The Muslim NGOs and JAIS are just plain hypocrites. They are angered when Gunasegaran of the STAR wrote about Islam. But I see nothing offensive in the article, just plain opinion merit of a debate.

But than, when those 2 Al Islam reprters insulted the Catholic Churcsh and arrogantly published their shameful acts against the Christian. . ., nothing happened. The AG said, "no further action". The UMNO Youth monkey said, "don't speculate the AG's decision. Case close. . .period!

We are seeing a real stinking double standard and hypocracy of the highest order all the time under this regime. I still think The STAR should not have appologized.

Why the UMNO regime keeps insulting our inteligence is beyond comprehension. Are they stupid? Yes, I bet they are!

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written by magickriver, March 02, 2010 00:08:00

We are witnessing the tragic results of a linguistic and sociocultural divide between Malays fluent in English (and who therefore have access to cosmopolitan ideas) and those who feel threatened by the world outside their tiny tempurungs. Since the educated, urbanized Malays tend to vote for reform, Umno is forced to make a big show of piety to impress its voter base in the boondocks. It won't work, of course, so don't worry, folks... smilies/grin.gif

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written by ctlyn, March 01, 2010 23:37:37

politicians always play all kind of game to win the election and get the votes from people. Imbalance justice law in Kartika's case.

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written by malgal, March 01, 2010 23:33:07

different stroke and lashes for different folks!
evil confounds evil-doers : see this work-in-progress right here right now.
they set the lairs only to trip themselves in the end.
vote them out.
walk those eligible ones to register. time waits for no one.

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written by JJFoo, March 01, 2010 23:07:16

You are lucky if only your intelligence that was insulted.

In actual fact, we, the people have been whacking the people left, right and centre like a bunch of helpless morons, expecting zero retaliation except some moaning and whining, which is precisely the only thing the people are capable of doing.

This is the price of complacency to the naive people for years of giving their votes to tyrants.

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written by bambooman, March 01, 2010 22:07:40

the islam propogated by umno in malaysia is a backward religion like getting a man to climb coconut tree to sight for new moon for its hari raya celebration! in time to come the judges will be climbing coconut trees to deliver judgements! welcome to malaysia!

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written by DreamLady, March 01, 2010 22:01:12

Thank you so very much, my dear Mariam. Indeed you have written an impressive article. You are the voice for all the suppressed womenfolks in the nation, if there are more people of your calibre to look out
for us, Malaysia would be a much better place.

Please, do not hesitate to let us know if there is a way where we could crawl out from the dungeon of suppression to taste the sweetness of freedom as individuals, we certainly would appreciate your kind gesture for a long time to come.

Thank you once more and have a blessed day!

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written by singhkris, March 01, 2010 21:36:23

I am not a Muslim. I cannot comment on this. But I will say this. Any woman, Muslim or otherwise, who votes for a government which supports such a policies, ought to have her head examined. Ladies, it is within your power to kick such people in the butts and out of power.

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written by mountain man, March 01, 2010 21:13:18

UMNO racists using such cases to whip up support, this is the wwork of PARIAHS.

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written by earthman, March 01, 2010 20:41:35

Well said. But then if a religion or the priests stressed the importance of one's faith by one's daily rituals and repetitions or chantings, without questioning, that is what you get in the end. Just take a look at the world where the religion shaped their lives.

The problem we have today is idol worshipping. The teachers or founders or books became the objects of our worship and no one can question him. To do so would be an insult or disrespect to the 'idol' . How can one progress and think correctly , without asking ,(or forbiddened to ask), seeking and knocking at every doors? This is the problem when societies are shaped by a religion. But religions that taugth the people to ask and seek and knock would lead the people well.

That is how many leaders, dictators and tyrants stayed in power for too long ,all because of idol worshippers. And money is one of the top idols to many . Are you one of them? Money is to be used for the good of all and not to be worshipped.

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written by casper, March 01, 2010 20:12:10

Well done Mariam. It has taken some time but it is indeed heartening "a" voice of conscience (and many more I hope) has emerged from the ranks of the disenfranchised. Islam was never meant to be a tool, manipulated by the criminals ala UMNO and its coterie of ularmak's.

If I were Muslim, my hairs would stand on ends if Kartika's plight continues to be fodder for them monkeys but still, I can't put my finger to it and anticipate to what end would this high stake game of bluff is/was meant to achieve ? Seems to me there is some concerted action to encompass all Muslims, in this case all members of the weaker sex and have them all surrounded by a vast drift net with no chance of escape ! Again, to what end ? Pray tell, anybody !

Kartika's fate is now out of the hands of Sharie Court and UMNO somehow managed to sway responsibility for their mischief to seek refuge under the 'sarong' of the Regent of Pahang. There is no certainty the outcome although a hazardous guideline to the canning has been made public knowledge ie canning more a fetish stroke not meant to inflict pain, men - caned standing up, women - assume a squatting posture (where did that come from ?) and from the many 'khalwat' cases tried at the Sharie courts, M'sians well know that a standard fine of RM$3,000 is levied once guilt in established or in lieu of fine, 3 months behind bars.

It has been established that three women have been subjected to the rod and funny, there seems a lot of secrecy behind what took place. Instead of hearing straight from the horses mouth, we find UMNO Ministers giving assurance that no harm was inflicted, those caned have repented and were very happy to be made an example(I find that hard to believe) and yet, those punished have not been sighted and no names named.

By all counts, I wouldn't put it past them to have staged all this as a hoax, as a means to an end, just like it is hard to imagine both Sirul and Azilah(the two UTK hired guns) happily trotting off to prison and not for one moment did they try to whack the daylights out of Razak Baginda(the person most responsible for both their dates with the hangman), no protest or shouts of discontent, nothing nada.

There was no such commotion with all three defendant's able to share space, no problems at all which I find hard to believe, indeed. Like I said earlier, I just can't put my fingers to all the mystery surrounding UMNO, PDRM, both Civil and Sharie courts !!!!

Whatever the case, try have a joyous week Mariam and regards to all out there.

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written by peace lover, March 01, 2010 19:29:25

Well said, Mdm.

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written by Better My, March 01, 2010 18:56:29

Excellent article to stand up for muslim women and all other chinese/Indian women as well, who are too scared shit to speak of women inustice.

All women in Malaysia has sufferred very long in silence in many issues. Issues like husband abuse, abortion, rape in marriage, perosnal threats, gay/lebians, women anti-liberation, drinking, "unlawful courtship, women hypocrisies, etc. These have been put in the back burner as the bad muslim mob intent on continuing tactics to retain power and personal ill-gotten assets.

Yes, it is an insult to muslim intelligence, especially women in this case of the vastly diferential fines.

I call on more educated Muslim women to come out and voice their feeling for your own sons & daughters sake in the future, like what Mariam Mokhtar has done. Take charge of your children destinies. If you can't do this, then DONT bring them into this ugly bad UMNO muslim Malaysia world - it is so UNFAIR to them.

To women of malaysia,
An open alternative Anwar PR government will give opportunities for these women issues to be discussed in public, including voices from these deplorable narow minded NGOs. Many Malaysian women stand to quantum gain from better mature compassionate policies for women.
VOTE FOR CHANGE. Tell all your women friends.

We have stopped listening to you. For Malaysia.