Joint Press Statement

Malaysians Should Have Democratic
and Open Spaces for Discussion
by Joint Action Group (JAG)

11 August 2008

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) strongly condemns the mob rule and unruly behaviour by a group of people at the forum organised by the Bar Council on 9 August, 2008 causing the abrupt ending to the forum.

JAG feels that Bar Council’s efforts to initiate an open space to discuss long-standing issues in a frank, peaceful and amicable manner should be encouraged. As stated by the organisers the forum is an attempt to seek clarification and a just solution pertaining to the conflict between the civil and syariah laws and it is not about questioning Islam.

In a multi racial democratic nation such as Malaysia, the government and civil society must at all times encourage open dialogue instead of feeding into fear and intolerance. Open dialogue and discussion in a peaceful, informative, and sincere manner will aid in establishing deeper understanding amongst the rakyat.

JAG further condemns the despicable act by unknown parties who threw kerosene bombs into the former home of Datuk Ambiga, president of the Bar Council. The home is now the residence of Datuk Seri Sharizat. Two petrol bombs were also found outside the Bar Council auditorium premises where the forum was held on that Saturday morning.

This cowardly act of violence is presumably to threaten Datuk Ambiga and the Bar Council for organising the forum.

JAG urges all parties to allow such dialogues of this nature to continue to help resolve the problems especially for those families who have been burdened by these matters for a long time. JAG expects the government to take a firm stand to allow citizens to have democratic spaces for open dialogue and to act against mob rule.

Ivy Josiah
Executive Director
On behalf of The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG)

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
Women’s Centre for Change (WCC), Penang
All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
Sisters in Islam (SIS)

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