Women want their views on new law heard

Women want their views on new law heard


Women's groups heaved a collective sigh of relief when they were informed that the Islamic Family Law Act would not be gazetted pending further study. National Council of Women's Organisations president Datuk Dr Sharifah Hapsah Shahabudin said: "That's wonderful, thank God. Alhamdulillah.

"I'm not surprised that the Prime Minister has taken this step. I've always been confident that he would be just and fair, in line with Islam Hadhari."


Sharifah Hapsah commended the Cabinet for heeding the views of the public.

"This shows that the Cabinet is serious about getting feedback and having further discussions on the matter."

Earlier today, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi instructed the Cabinet to hold further discussions on the controversial Act, with the possibility of making amendments.

Abdullah also instructed the Cabinet not to set a date for the enforcement of the Act.

Sisters in Islam executive director Zainah Anwar welcomed the decision and asked the Government to set up a parliamentary select committee (PSC) to look into the matter.

"The PSC should get feedback from the public, especially women with experience with the Syariah Court.

"We also want the Government to consult us in drafting the new law. The procedure should be identical to that adopted for the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 for non-Muslims, when the PSC held a public enquiry throughout the nation to get feedback," she said.


She called for a moratorium on the implementation of the legislation.

"We want the Government to advise the States to suspend its implementation the way the Government advised the States to adopt the Federal Territory law," she added.

All Women's Action Society (Awam) president Judith Loh-Koh questioned the extent to which the public could expect more groups to be involved.

"This could just be a temporary measure," she said. "Are the further discussions going to be only within the Cabinet?

"At this point, what assurance do we have that feedback will be obtained from non-governmental organisations and civil society?"