Stop the intimidation of Maria Chin Abdullah

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) strongly condemns the sentence given by the Federal Territory Sharia High Court to Maria Chin Abdullah, the Petaling Jaya MP, of seven days in jail.

The sentence, issued for a public statement Maria made regarding the court’s decision to impose a jail sentence on Emilia Hanafi, formerly married to SM Faisal SM Nasimuddin, the Naza group chairperson, is disproportionate and clearly unreasonable.

Emilia, a survivor of domestic violence, divorced SM Faisal in 2016 and retained custody of their three children. In October 2018, she rescheduled SM Faisal’s visitation dates for her children, as she was out of town with her children for a religious event.

Despite maintaining that she did not deny her ex-husband visitation rights or violate any court orders, a seven-day prison sentence was imposed on her.

On 5 September 2019, Maria questioned the Sharia legal system for imposing this sentence on Emilia. Emilia Hanafi’s case is not an isolated incident as many survivors face injustices with reference to the protection of their rights in the Sharia legal system.

As an MP, Maria has both the right to freedom of expression and the duty to address injustice and inequalities, including that which takes place through any legal system, Shaira or civil. Maria is one of the beacons who speak for gender equality and women’s lived realities, and her role should not be undermined.

Prosecuting Maria is not only oppressive and appalling, but it also serves as a form of intimidation, a consistent pattern of silencing women who have faced injustice as a result of legal and religious interpretations of the law.

While we welcome the decision of the Federal Territory Sharia High Court to suspend the sentence on Maria Chin Abdullah pending appeal, JAG stands in solidarity with Maria Chin as freedom of expression and speech is enshrined in our Federal Constitution under Article 10(a) which states that “every citizen has the right to freedom of speech and expression”.

Endorsed by JAG member organisations:

1. All Women’s Action Society (Awam)
2. Association of Women Lawyers
3. Justice for Sisters
4. Kryss Network
5. Perak Women for Women Society
6. Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
7. Sabah Women’s Action-Resource Group (Sawo)
8. Sarawak Women for Women Society
9. Sisters in Islam (SIS)
10. Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
11. Women Centre for Change (WCC)

Other organisations and individuals:

1. Aliran
2. Anthony Tan Kee Huat
3. Bersih
4. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
5. Engender Consultancy
6. Komuniti Muslim Universal (KMU Malaysia)
7. Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen
8. Persatuan Promosi Hak Asasi Manusia (Proham)
9. Pusat Komas
10. Suaram
11. The KL and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Women’s Division
12. Wibawa Women

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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