Press Statement
Support for Prime Minister's Vision -
57th UMNO General Assembly
16 November 2006

WAO is strengthened by Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s address that spelt out a vision for Malaysia where her multi –cultural, multi racial and multi- religious peoples will work with the leadership to promote, respect and protect gender equality, tolerance, media freedoms, integrity and the rule of law.

The address for UMNO was heard by all Malaysians and as women’s human rights group, Abdullah’s position that “we must respect the principle of gender equality” and that it will “be the country’s loss if we sideline or belittle the role of women” is in keeping with WAO’s law and policy advocacy to eliminate discrimination against women.

It is especially more poignant that today, 16 November is International Day for Tolerance that Abdullah saw fit to issue a stern warning for those who sow seeds of discord, fear and misinformation.

Intolerance is bred out of ignorance and fear and thus it is very critical that Abdullah ‘s call for healthy debates through the media flourish so that all points of view can be presented for people to make informed choices.

WAO as a member of the coalition “Article 11” has seen the worrying trend of silencing voices of civil society by demonising them as a threat, sensitive and racial. We are thus, greatly encouraged that at the very least the media will be given the freedom and discretion to publish points of views to clear myths and misconceptions.

It is WAO’s hope that Abdullah’s address does not remain mere rhetoric and his leadership is able to translate this vision by identifying Malaysians who will champion the implementation of this shared vision slowly but surely. 
 

Ivy Josiah
Executive Director

Related News:

• Prime Minister Speech at the Opening of the UMNO 57th Annual General Assembly
• Groups welcome Abdullah's speech (The Sun, 16 Nov 2006)