Column published minus the sting

Malaysia's The Star today published Marina Mahathir's column on the apparent double standards imposed on matters of law on Muslim women in Malaysia - two days after the column was supposed to be published.

However the daily has removed the last two paragraphs in which she takes a jab at government leaders for not protecting Muslim women's rights.

Many earlier speculated that The Star failed to publish the column in time as it feared the column might offend the government. Pak Lah's administration has been extra sensitive when it comes to religious matters involving Islam. The government says it wants to protect the people from racial hatred.

However Marina said that she was told about The Star's decision to cut her last two paragraphs.

"I think it's silly (of The Star) but I will not sweat it. The main points are there."

However she went on to take a dig at the government over its over-sensitiveness and its policies to win the hearts of Muslims so that it can win one over opposition Islamic party PAS.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Marina said the interpretation of Shariah laws has become more austere in the country as a result of a fight between the two main political parties to win Muslim votes.

Marina said Umno and PAS are increasingly trying to portray themselves as more Islamic in a bid to establish their credentials.

Marina said the government's move last year to pass contentious legislation that promotes polygamy and discriminates against Muslim women in matrimonial issues was an indication of the rivalry between the two political parties.

She said:

"It's all politics. There's a kind of race to see who is more Islamic. It's unfortunate because the more conservative voice has become louder while the progressive ones find it harder to speak. It's scary."

How true, but would anyone else be brave enough to tell this. Marina can because her father ruled Malaysia for over 22 years.

But more worryingly is the way the Malaysian media is cowering to the whims of the government.

And here is what The Star omitted in the last two paragraphs:

In this country, our leaders claim to stand for all citizens. Our Prime Minister is the Prime Minister of all Malaysians, our Ministers work for all Malaysians in their respective fields. There are two exceptions to this. The Minister for Islamic Affairs is obviously only for Muslims; even though some of the things he does affect others. While the Minister for Women purports to work for all Malaysian women, even though not all Malaysian women benefit from that work. Perhaps we should consolidate the apartheid of women in this country by having a Ministry for Non-Muslim Women which works to ensure that Non-Muslim women enjoy the benefits of the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, a UN document which Malaysia signed and is legally bound to implement, and a Ministry for Muslim Women which works to gag and bind Muslim women more and more each day for the sake of political expediency under the guise of religion.

Today is International Women’s Day. Unfortunately only about 40% of thewomen in this country can celebrate. The rest can only look at their Non-Muslim sisters in despair and envy.

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