Break-in at SIS office 'a form of intimidation'

The Star Online > Nation

Monday January 16, 2006

Break-in at SIS office 'a form of intimidation'

PETALING JAYA: Sisters in Islam's office in Section 5 was broken into on Saturday night and executive director Zainah Anwar's personal computer was stolen.

Zainah said SIS workers had gone to the office yesterday morning and found the grille of the kitchen window broken, her personal computer missing and several workstations ransacked.

She said the incident was believed to have occurred on Saturday night.

"My computer was obviously targeted, not money. This is a form of intimidation. Maybe some people are not happy with what we are doing and are using this tactic to silence us", she said,

after attending a briefing on the Islamic Family Law (Federal Territory) (Amendment) 2005 here yesterday.

"It is a criminal, violent and unacceptable action in a democratic country where differences of opinions are allowed. We don't believe in violence, we believe in peaceful engagement to search for solutions to problems".

SIS is one of the most active women's non-governmental organisation and it has raised strong objections over the controversial law passed in Parliament last month.

Zainah said SIS had lodged a report at the Petaling Jaya police station in Jalan Penchala at 4pm yesterday.

On the law, she said SIS would still attend a Syariah committee meeting at the Attorney-General's Chambers today.

She said others invited to the meeting were religious scholars and relevant NGOs.

SIS is a member of the committee set up within the A-G's Chambers last month, to review matters in civil legislation that are inconsistent with Syariah law.

She said SIS would brief the meeting, which would be chaired by the Attorney-General, on areas of concerns relating to the law.


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