Press Statement issued by Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun over the firm stand taken by PAS President Hadi Awang in banning Sisters in Islam (SIS) 

Wanita MCA slams Hadi Awang’s obstinacy in pressing for SIS ban

Wanita MCA National Chairman Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun today criticized the stubbornness of PAS President Dato’ Seri Hadi Awang in insisting that Sisters in Islam (SIS) is not qualified to discuss Syariah laws. “Hadi Awang’s obstinacy reflects his prima donna disposition that only he is qualified to discuss on such issues. Such sheer arrogance from Hadi shows that he is an extreme and conservative-minded person.”   

“At its recently concluded muktamar, PAS endorsed a resolution to ban SIS which has received much flak and criticism from the public. Later, Shah Alam division PAS chief Khalid Samad who is also the MP for that constituency, who raised the resolution earlier admitted that his division had made a mistake in its wording in the said motion and they will send a letter to PAS HQ to clarify the matter,” Mei Fun said.

“Even though the Shah Alam PAS chief has admitted his mistake over this issue, but PAS President Hadi Awang is still adamant that SIS is not qualified to talk on Syariah laws. Hadi Awang even questioned the professionalism and validity of SIS. In short, this shows that Hadi Awang is very autocratic in his actions and mindset,” she added.     

Mei Fun stressed that “in a democratic society, everyone has a right to express their views freely. For example, she added before legislating any laws, we have to gather the professional views from all parties and then debate them in Parliament. Only through this, are we able to come out with effective laws that will suit the needs of  society. Even after Parliament has approved amendments or enactment of new Acts, different judges have different interpretations, of whom some judges will deliver rulings based on individual cases.”

The MCA women’s wing chief also expressed that denying the right of SIS to put forward their views not only violated human rights but also has contradicted with PAS’ slogan to uphold democracy and respect of all people’s views. “PAS has clearly drifted away from their election manifesto of ‘PAS for All’. The actions by PAS clearly show that they continue to discriminate against women.” Mei Fun therefore urges all Malaysians to look clearly into PAS’ real motives in wanting to ban SIS.  

-MCA online-