For PM Anwar Ibrahim, it seems women are meant to play just a supportive role for MEN - is this not a patriarchal position? Does Anwar still support patriarchy? Will any woman challenge Anwar for PKR Presidency? In Malaysia, sadly we still do not see any woman political party President, save for Wan Azizah(who seemed to have been chosen as a proxy for imprisoned Anwar? We still have seen no women Chief Minister of State, or Prime Minister...or Governor..
Gender equality is a fundamental principle that confirms that all individuals, regardless of gender, have the same rights and capabilities in all aspects of life... International Women’s Day is an important moment to reflect on women’s struggles in facing patriarchal culture which still hinders the achievement of gender equalityin my opinion, Wan Azizah, Anwar's partner and spouse, chose to sit as Leader of party, sadly it seems just as a proxy for her husband when he was imprisoned. She seems to not believe in herself, her capacity to be LEADER. She could have become the 1st woman Chief Minister of Selangor, and even 1st Malaysian women Prime Minister...
Many men and women would have supported her assuming leadership as she did have the needed qualities, even if she was not Anwar's wife...I think.
Yes, the hindrance to overcome the patriarchal culture, and achieve equality, is caused not just by men, but also many women. Can a woman not be the Prime Minister, Chief Minister of a State?
In 2025, there seem to be NO RALLY or Protest or exercise of Peaceful Assembly reported in the Merdia in Malaysia - only a government organised event, where PM Anwar '...paid tribute to his late mother Che Yan Hamid Hussein and wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.He credited his late mother and Dr Wan Azizah for instilling family-building values...'
Does Anwar not believe in EQUALITY of persons, which also means the belief that a woman, just like any man, has the capacity of being the leader of a political party...nay even a nation? Or does Anwar believe that woman only have a 'supportive role' for a MALE leader?
Is Anwar Ibrahim, Fahmi, Nasution, Anthony Loke and the 'MADANI' government 'HAPPY' that there was NO protest or Rally or exercise of people's right to peaceful assembly on this years International Women's Day(8/3/2025)?
We recall the 'crackdown' or 'harrassment' on leaders/participants of the Women's March in 2023...
The police subsequent crackdown on participants of Women's March Malaysia (WMMY) 2023 held on 12/3/2023 in conjunction of the International Women's Day, which saw about 200 participants.
At night the police said that they were now investigating pursuant with regard offences under Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and Minor Offences Act 1995.(NST, 12/3/2023) Worse, notices to be present at police station for investigation were send out to about 7 in the middle of the night according to the organisers of the March.(Star, 13/3/2023) -Peaceful Assembly Act which violates peoples’ REAL right to peaceful assembly must be repealed
One 'weakness' of the PM Anwar Ibrahim is the government's inability to deal with different VIEWS and opinions, and worse, the criticism of Anwar's own views...
Peaceful Assembly is an important RIGHT in Malaysia also because the peoples' representative, the Members of Parliament(MP) and ADUNs often behave a party representatives NOT peoples' representatives - When these so-call peoples' representative fail the people, the ONLY option that people have is to bring their VIEWS/OPINIONS to the people by themselves - by means of Peaceful Assembly, or through communication through the internet/social media...
Malaysia is supposed to be a DEMOCRACY - and thus it is a contradiction when peoples' freedom of expression, opinion and the right to peaceful assembly is 'ATTACKED' by State, using also draconian laws.
For peaceful assembly, POLICE had no right to be 'permission-giver' to this right - but they still behave as such.
If anyone or people want to exercise the RIGHT to Peaceful Assembly - there should be no requirement of any 'application' or 'permit'. They should be FREE to exercise this right of peaceful assembly without even giving any NOTICE - although, they may be encouraged to give notice to the police so that police would ensure that they can safely exercise this right. SADLY, in Malaysia, when people give notice - police come in to 'control' or sometime block the right - they come in heavily armed... and participants end up being called in before and after to be 'investigated' (or is it harassment meant to DETER people from exercising their right of peaceful assemblies???)
WORSE - peaceful assemblies happens because people have something to say >> But sadly, this Anwar Ibrahim's government seems to not even respond to the issues raised many a times. What did Anwar Ibrahim say about the issues raised at the anti-corruption rally after the rally? NOTHING? No response to the issues raised at the rally?
This is a MAJOR ISSUE - people come out without FEAR to raise issues during their exercise of their right of Peaceful Assembly - but then the Government often times does not respond to the issues raised...Will the government look into it? Will the government do something about the matters raised by the participants? A GOOD PM and/or government will give a RESPONSE to the people with regard the issues raised at a peaceful assembly.
BUT sadly, in Malaysia, most times, there seems to be a conscious 'RE-FOCUS' by State, on the laws broken or allegedly broken - people are called up for investigations, etc. NO RESPONSE TO THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY...this is totally disrespecting the people, disrespecting the effort to raise issues..
MEDIA too fails to report on 'What was the reason for the peaceful assembly', and tend to focus rather on the possible crimes of participants/organisers....SAD...really sad.
Freedom of Expression/Opinion through ONLINE communications have also been suppressed in Malaysia - as the blocks and removes posts of Malaysians. Wonder how many was because it was a criticism of government, or a different view from the views of the PM/Government??? Fahmi - Government finally ADMITS to role in 'blocking' over 300,000 online content? - BE TRANSPARENT - tell us why each was blocked, and for what ALLEGED offence?
Has Anwar answered the question WHY 1MDB dropped the case against....
Anwar must answer for dropping 1MDB lawsuit against Riza, says activist(Malaysiakini)
1MDB drops US$248 million lawsuit against Riza Aziz(Najib Stepson) and Ors - Did Anwar Ibrahim, as Finance Minister, order or approve 1MDB's action? Resign as Finance Minister NOW
The problem with Anwar Ibrahim and his government is that they DO NOT ANSWER - Even, when questions are asked in Parliament, many a time there is NO ANSWER really
The FREEDOM of PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY became worse after the enactment of the Peaceful Assembly Act - JUST REPEAL IT. No more the need of pre-identification of organisers... no more the need to pay for cleaning up rubbish after peaceful assemblies ..no more imposition of personal liability on organizers for any/all who participate in peaceful assemblies...
PEACEFUL ASSEMBLY - word spreads that some are assembling at a point to protest some issues, and many who hear about it comes and join in solidarity in the peaceful assembly - often, nobody know who was the initiator/organiser...nobody really knows how many will turn up - for those who support the reason from all walks of life will turn up - it could be 50 or it could be tens of thousands...that is how it was even in the REFORMASI protests on Saturdays from SOGO to Dataran Merdeka... Now, after the Act, only big organisations/parties can organize peaceful assembly - no more can a few people do - as they simply do not have the capacity to do all that the ACT wants them to do, or the capacity to be responsible for the actions of ALL who may turn up...
Say, you want to organize a pro-Palestine peaceful assembly - how does the initiator/organizer limit who can participate or even the numbers????
ANYWAY - Peaceful Assembly has another important purpose, that is to reach out to the people of Malaysia(even the world) to educate and convince them to support the message/purpose of the peaceful assembly...
Malaysia: Investigation of women’s march violates freedom of expression
On 12 March 2023, some 300 people, including human rights defenders and civil society groups, took to the streets in Kuala Lumpur to commemorate International Women’s Day. Following the march, the Dang Wangi district police headquarters Criminal Investigation Division announced it opened an investigation into 7 individuals, including organisers, speakers, and participants under Section 9(5) of the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012 and Section 14 of the Minor Offences Act 1995. ARTICLE 19 strongly condemns the Malaysian government’s response to the International Women’s Day march for undermining the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
In a statement issued ahead of the march, organisers had listed nine demands, including an end to sexual and gender-based violence, protection of bodily autonomy, prohibition of child marriage, equal pay, constitutional and legislative reforms for greater gender equity, and equal political participation for oppressed genders at all levels of governance.
Nalini Elumalai, Senior Malaysia Programme Officer at ARTICLE 19, said:
“It is deeply disappointing that the new government seems to be resorting to tactics used by its predecessor to restrict peaceful demonstrations. The right to freedom of expression is integral to the enjoyment of the rights to freedom of assembly and association, guaranteed in Article 10 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution. The government and police are obligated to respect, protect and fulfil the right to protest, and should establish an enabling environment for the full enjoyment of this right.
The right to freedom of peaceful assembly also extends to the expression of ideas that may be considered controversial or that are not necessarily favourably received by the government or the majority of the population. This right is also guaranteed regardless of the sexual orientation or gender identity of the participants and protects expression related to issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.
We urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally drop all investigations into organisers and participants who have exercised their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and to stop any further harassment against organisers and participants.”
The Malaysian government has frequently used the Peaceful Assembly Act to intimidate protestors and discourage public participation.
The Peaceful Assembly Act obstructs
the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in
Malaysia’s Constitution and protected under its international
obligations. The imposition under the law that organisers must notify
authorities five days prior to any gathering is overly burdensome. Those
who fail to comply with the law’s requirements face fines of up to RM
10,000 (approximately USD 2,232). The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom
of assembly and association has stated
that notice periods should not be longer than 48 hours and that notice
should only be required for large or disruptive assemblies. - Article 19,
See also:-
Peaceful Assembly Act which violates peoples’ REAL right to peaceful assembly must be repealed
International Women’s Day 2025: Interview with Justice Nallini Pathmanathan of the Federal Court of Malaysia
International Women’s Day (IWD) is held on 8 March every year. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The IWD 2025 campaign theme is Accelerate Action, emphasising the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. In this interview, international judge Justice Nallini Pathmanathan shares her experiences and reflects on the importance of IWD.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and your current role?
I have been a judge of the Federal Court of Malaysia since 2018. This is the apex court, the highest court in our legal system. I enjoy the privilege of being the first female judge of South Asian ethnicity to be elevated to the superior judiciary in Malaysia.
What is your background and career journey so far?
My initial background is in the sciences. I studied physiology as a first degree at the University of London. I then undertook a conversion course in law in 1983, prior to being called to the Bar at Middle Temple in the UK in 1984, and the Malaysian Bar in 1986.
I went on to practice at the Bar in Kuala Lumpur at Messrs Skrine, where I remained for 21 years prior to being elevated to the Bench in March 2007. My practice was initially in family and industrial relations law, later moving on to commercial law.
I am a Bencher of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple and sit on the Steering Group of the Standing International Forum of Commercial Courts (SIFoCC).
What made you decide to pursue a career in law and/or justice?
Law was not my initial choice of career. Coming from a family with a strong background in medicine, I always envisioned myself as a doctor. However, when my attempt at pursuing medicine was unsuccessful, I went on to study physiology and then moved on to the law, at my father’s suggestion. From the moment I began learning the law, I enjoyed it.
Are there any women who have inspired you in your life and/or career?
I cannot single out any one woman. Both women and men across various fields have been sources of inspiration in my career. However, the recent increase in female appointments to high judicial office is inspiring. They include the Chief Justice of Malaysia, Tengku Maimun Tuan Mat; the Lady Chief Justice of England and Wales, Baroness Sue Carr; Justice B. V. Nagarathna of the Supreme Court of India; Justice Ayesha Malik the first female judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan; and Lady Justice Martha Karambu Koome, the Chief Justice of Kenya. There are many more inspirational figures, too many to name here.
The theme of International Women’s Day this year is ‘Accelerate Action’ – what does this mean to you?
People who have achieved high office have a duty to address the issue, that women have for millennia been pushed to the back. For example, they should ensure that there are sufficient opportunities for women to advance, based on ability and talent, and flexible working practices, as women often bear responsibility for childcare and managing the home.
Another step would be to provide access to leadership training for women, and policies for advancement which are clear, well-known to stakeholders and applied equitably. Mentoring can also be an essential part of training within the legal profession. Initiatives like these should be targeted, as no one solution fits the legal profession in every jurisdiction. The International Bar Association researched this important topic in its 50:50 by 2030: Progress Report 2024.
Finally, these steps cannot be cosmetic. Reducing gender disparity should be a part of the culture built into organisations and institutions.
Horizontal segregation (the under or over-representation of a gender in a particular occupation or industry) should be eliminated. It prevents women in the profession from being pushed into particular types of less well-paying work, and allows them to practice in the more high profile and lucrative sectors, should they choose to do so.
What advice would you give to any women or girls who want to pursue a career in law and/or justice?
I would advise them to explore and understand the profession they are embarking on. The rate of attrition is high amongst women legal practitioners in Malaysia.
I would also advise them never to underestimate their own abilities as they are equally competent to their male counterparts.
Finally, I would say the law is a career you should consider pursuing. It affords fulfillment at all levels, whether you are arguing your first case as junior counsel or submitting as senior counsel on complex points of law at the highest level. - Courts and Tribunal Judiciary
On Women’s Day, Anwar pays tribute to his mother and wife, calls family-building key to nation-building
KUALA LUMPUR, March 8 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has paid tribute to his late mother Che Yan Hamid Hussein and wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail.
He credited his late mother and Dr Wan Azizah for instilling family-building values.
“We start nation-building from family-building, which means we build our family starting by empowering women as a mother and an educator, on the basis of generation building.
“All of us are fruits of our parents’ education, but many agree that this is especially with the mother. Myself included.
“As my mother is one of those who shaped and showed love, the meaning of life, the meaning of humanity, the meaning of kindness, religious teachings, values, and because of that, the question of family building should not be put aside,” Anwar said in his address when launching the National Women Policy in conjunction with the Women’s Day celebration hosted by the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development.
He added that, as he grew up to start his own family, for him there is Dr Wan Azizah.
“Of course, when we grow up to build our own family, for me, it is Azizah.
“She’s is my companion, sometimes she gives me advice — but helpful (advice).
“So
when we talk about family, we (often) overlook the matter, we forget.
We want to make things like digitisation, AI and TVET. All these focus
on raising the younger generation, which begin with the family and
women,” said Anwar.
Che Yan was actively involved in politics as a member of Umno, leading the Wanita Umno back in the day.
She died in 2001.- Malay Mail, 8/3/2025
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