Malaysia to restrict women travelling abroad on their own?

Nick 0208 Ldn · 4th May 2008, 15:34

Women's groups in Malaysia have reacted angrily to proposed government restrictions on women travelling abroad on their own.

State media say the plan would require women to obtain written consent from their families or employers.

The Malaysian foreign minister said the move would prevent single women being used by gangs to smuggle drugs.

The proposal follows a review of criminal cases where women had been jailed abroad.

Outrage

Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said 90% of cases where Malaysian women had been jailed by foreign courts involved drugs.

He told the New Sunday Times newspaper that a compulsory letter of consent to travel alone would enable women's families to make sure they were not being tricked by drug smuggling gangs.

"Many of these women (who travel alone) leave the country on the pretext of work or attending courses and seminars," he said.

"With this declaration, we will know for sure where and for what she is travelling overseas," he said.

Women's groups have expressed outrage at the plan.

The National Council for Women's Organisations said it would infringe women's rights.

Another group, Sisters in Islam, said the proposal was totally ridiculous and regressive, and assumed that women were less capable than men of making their own decisions.

Campaigners have pointed out that letters of permission to travel would be very easy to forge.

In recent years the influence of hardline Islamic groups has been increasing in Malaysia, but it is unclear whether this proposal has any religious motive.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7382859.stm

One of those stories that you couldn't be blamed for not belieivng when you first hear it.

Something like 10% of the cabinet is made up of women, their responses will be interesting.

Suresh · 5th May 2008, 06:52

An mind-bogglingly stupid proposal even by the usual ruling party's standards. I would love to see that idiot Rais try to get this through Parliament.

topper · 5th May 2008, 14:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suresh

An mind-bogglingly stupid proposal even by the usual ruling party's standards. I would love to see that idiot Rais try to get this through Parliament.

would than cramp your er style if past Suresh

KingDingle22 · 5th May 2008, 14:07

My aunty is malayasian. Lives in Laaandan though. Doubt she'll be too pleased at this.

My housemate's mum is Malayasian too.

RedKaos · 5th May 2008, 17:42

Good, they can stay in the kitchen then.

spinoza · 6th May 2008, 10:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick 0208 Ldn

Women's groups in Malaysia have reacted angrily to proposed government restrictions on women travelling abroad on their own.

State media say the plan would require women to obtain written consent from their families or employers.

The Malaysian foreign minister said the move would prevent single women being used by gangs to smuggle drugs.

The proposal follows a review of criminal cases where women had been jailed abroad.

Outrage

Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said 90% of cases where Malaysian women had been jailed by foreign courts involved drugs.

He told the New Sunday Times newspaper that a compulsory letter of consent to travel alone would enable women's families to make sure they were not being tricked by drug smuggling gangs.

"Many of these women (who travel alone) leave the country on the pretext of work or attending courses and seminars," he said.

"With this declaration, we will know for sure where and for what she is travelling overseas," he said.

Women's groups have expressed outrage at the plan.

The National Council for Women's Organisations said it would infringe women's rights.

Another group, Sisters in Islam, said the proposal was totally ridiculous and regressive, and assumed that women were less capable than men of making their own decisions.

Campaigners have pointed out that letters of permission to travel would be very easy to forge.

In recent years the influence of hardline Islamic groups has been increasing in Malaysia, but it is unclear whether this proposal has any religious motive.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7382859.stm

One of those stories that you couldn't be blamed for not belieivng when you first hear it.

Something like 10% of the cabinet is made up of women, their resonses will be interesting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suresh

An mind-bogglingly stupid proposal even by the usual ruling party's standards. I would love to see that idiot Rais try to get this through Parliament.

Hopefully he'll be sacked for gross stupidity. Won't happen but I live in hope.

Suresh · 7th May 2008, 11:21

Plan's been scuppered now though due to a massive public outburst. Thank fuck some semblance of common sense prevailed. Why do these inbreds insist on making us the world's laughing stock every few months or so?

EspadaYdaga · 7th May 2008, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suresh

Why do these inbreds insist on making us the world's laughing stock every few months or so?

pot .... kettle

Suresh · 7th May 2008, 12:06

Racist!

spinoza · 7th May 2008, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suresh

Plan's been scuppered now though due to a massive public outburst. Thank fuck some semblance of common sense prevailed. Why do these inbreds insist on making us the world's laughing stock every few months or so?

It's quite hard to vote them out...

4th May 2008, 15:34	#1 (permalink)
Nick 0208 Ldn First Team Sub Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Britanniae ~ It's good to ship. :) Posts: 5,170	Malaysia to restrict women travelling abroad on their own? Women's groups in Malaysia have reacted angrily to proposed government restrictions on women travelling abroad on their own. State media say the plan would require women to obtain written consent from their families or employers. The Malaysian foreign minister said the move would prevent single women being used by gangs to smuggle drugs. The proposal follows a review of criminal cases where women had been jailed abroad. Outrage Foreign Minister Rais Yatim said 90% of cases where Malaysian women had been jailed by foreign courts involved drugs. He told the New Sunday Times newspaper that a compulsory letter of consent to travel alone would enable women's families to make sure they were not being tricked by drug smuggling gangs. "Many of these women (who travel alone) leave the country on the pretext of work or attending courses and seminars," he said. "With this declaration, we will know for sure where and for what she is travelling overseas," he said. Women's groups have expressed outrage at the plan. The National Council for Women's Organisations said it would infringe women's rights. Another group, Sisters in Islam, said the proposal was totally ridiculous and regressive, and assumed that women were less capable than men of making their own decisions. Campaigners have pointed out that letters of permission to travel would be very easy to forge. In recent years the influence of hardline Islamic groups has been increasing in Malaysia, but it is unclear whether this proposal has any religious motive. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asi...ic/7382859.stm One of those stories that you couldn't be blamed for not belieivng when you first hear it. Something like 10% of the cabinet is made up of women, their responses will be interesting.

5th May 2008, 06:52	#2 (permalink)
Suresh nice guy but workshy bum Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ankh-Morpork Posts: 18,346	An mind-bogglingly stupid proposal even by the usual ruling party's standards. I would love to see that idiot Rais try to get this through Parliament.

5th May 2008, 14:07	#4 (permalink)
KingDingle22 Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Banbury Posts: 1,088	My aunty is malayasian. Lives in Laaandan though. Doubt she'll be too pleased at this. My housemate's mum is Malayasian too.

5th May 2008, 17:42	#5 (permalink)
RedKaos Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tentacles in my mouthLOL Posts: 1,986	Good, they can stay in the kitchen then.

7th May 2008, 11:21	#7 (permalink)
Suresh nice guy but workshy bum Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ankh-Morpork Posts: 18,346	Plan's been scuppered now though due to a massive public outburst. Thank fuck some semblance of common sense prevailed. Why do these inbreds insist on making us the world's laughing stock every few months or so?

7th May 2008, 12:06	#9 (permalink)
Suresh nice guy but workshy bum Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Ankh-Morpork Posts: 18,346	Racist!