JAG's Letter to MPs

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Volume Q2/ 2008 3

1. Amend the following:

· Amend Article 15 of the Federal Constitution to allow women the same rights as men with regards to citizenship status of their foreign spouses.

· Amend language of Schedule II of the Federal Constitution to allow women to confer citizenship status on their children even when the child is born outside of Malaysia.

· The Islamic Family Law Act according to JAG’s proposal. Standardise the Syariah laws in all States and Federal Territories.

· The Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976.

· The Domestic Violence Act 1994.

· The Parliamentary Standing Order so that sexism is disallowed.

· The Penal Code, to criminalize marital rape, stalking and domestic violence which is psychological in nature

· The Local Government Act 1976 to enable elections to be held at the local government levels.

2. Enact the:

· Gender Discrimination Act to incorporate the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) into national law.

· Sexual Harassment Act

· Freedom of Information Act

3. Repeal the:

· Internal Security Act

· Official Secrets Act

· University and University Colleges Act

· The Printing Presses and Publications Act

· All existing Emergency Ordinances.

4. Reactivate the Parliamentary Gender Caucus into a body that is pro-active in dealing with gender discrimination and inequality within the Parliament and nationwide,

5. Institutionalise regular dialogues between MPs and civil society organisations to bring about substantive democratic and gender responsive policies.

6. Form a permanent Standing Committee on Integrity and Governance to advocate for legal reforms to bring about greater transparency, accountability and participation.

JAG’S LETTER TO MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT