PETALING JAYA (Nov 17, 2006): Sisters in Islam (SIS) has expressed regret that various speakers at the Umno general assembly which ended today resorted to making "baseless and slanderous accusations" against the organisation.

SIS programme manager Norhayati Kaprawi said the accusations were based on "misinformation and distortion of facts".

"It is regrettable that the passions being incited at this particular general assembly are being used to unfairly discredit the work that many groups have done in upholding the universal values of peace, tolerance and justice," she said in a statement today.

She said the kinds of accusations heard at the general assmbly against SIS were not new but it was perplexing how any effort to speak about justice in Islam is seen as "challenging Islam". "We are disappointed by the statements made by these 'leaders' who only seek to bolster public support by silencing the voices of women and religious minorities.

"At a time when the Prime Minister is encouraging all Malaysians to be more introspective and proactive in upholding the values of tolerance and moderation, we find the statements from the grassroots of his own party severely lacking in either toleration or moderation," she said.

"It is alarming that these statements have taken on an extremely chauvinistic and violent language," she added.

Earlier today, Penang Umno delegate Shahbudin Yahya accused SIS of undermining Islam through its programmes and actions.

"SIS concentrates on how to weaken the syariah court system. They created issues, not to improve it (the syariah court), but to create doubts so that people will reject the court. They focus on one or two cases to try to belittle the syariah court," he said.

Norhayati said SIS receives calls from women from all walks of life, who have to confront a whole slew of problems on a daily basis.

"In the face of these daily realities, we have successfully advocated for legal reform to advance the rights of women.

"Amongst others, we have advocated for the right of Muslim women to be able to sign forms for the school registration and transfer of children, application of passports as well as to be able to give consent for their children's surgery. Prior to that, Muslim women were denied those rights."

Norhayati said SIS, together with other women's groups, also successfully lobbied for laws that protect women's rights, including for the Domestic Violence Act to be applicable to all Malaysians, including Muslims.

"SIS has also lobbied for Article 8(2) of the Federal Constitution to include 'gender' as one of the grounds for the prohibition of discrimination.

"In various memos to the government, SIS has also suggested ways in which the syariah courts can improve their services to ensure that women receive the justice they deserve.

"In fact, when we objected to some of the discriminatory provisions in the latest amendments to the Islamic Family Law Bill in December 2005, all women senators, including those from PAS supported our campaign.

"So, how can it be that SIS 'challenges and tries to undermine syariah law'?" Norhayati said.

She called on those concerned with the realities of Malaysian society to support civil society groups in their work to overcome the challenges facing all Malaysians.

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