A day at Sg.SIput

On 2nd March 2008, Sunday, the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) held their leaflet distribution & press conference (PC) at Pasar Jalong, Sg.Siput, Perak. This group which consists of organizations such as Women Centre for Change, Women’s Aid Organization, Sisters in Islam, All Women’s Action Society & Pusat Janadaya(Empower) was also joined by Women Candidacy Initiative (WCI) members. The main objectives of these events are to educate the public on Sexist Members of Parliament (MPs), whom have uttered sexist remarks openly in the parliament sessions. This group has also prepared a list, in their leaflets, of MPs & their sexist remarks. They have invited all the 3 Sg.Siput candidates to their PC but only Dr. Kumar Devaraj, the PSM candidate attended. At the same time, the MIC candidate (that has been winning for past 8 terms) in Sg.Siput, none other than the president himself Dato’ Seri S. Samy Vellu also held his own PC at Pusat Konvensyen Sg.Siput (its a nice hall). Three members of WCI who learnt about this PC rushed to the venue. As they entered the main gate, the press members quickly began to surround them as their hand-made posters & placards attracted. This caused the anger of the MIC members & supporters who was waiting for the party leader. They harshly shouted at the 3 ladies asking them to get out of the place. But they stood bravely. Meera Samanther argued that they are only there to meet the MP & they have all the rights to do that. The supporter even broke their placards, but the women never seemed to move a little. Meera took this opportunity to speak to the press & told whatever she had too. She urged the press to release this news so that people would know how women activists are treated by certain people whom are supposed to be leaders of the community. After about 10 minutes, Samy Vellu arrived. Meera tried to speak to him saying, “Dato Seri, we are here to ask you few questions” and Samy Vellu’s reply in rised & harsh voice was “I’m not here to talk to you, you go and do your business!” and walked straight into the hall’s VIP waiting room where his PC was held closed door, only with press members. The ladies accepted his unwillingness to speak to them & walked out of the hall premise. View the video here. Meanwhile, at the JAG’s PC at Pasar Jalong, Dr. Kumar was showing his support towards this group. When was asked whether the Sg.Siput people are aware of the sexist MPs, Dr. Kumar said, "If they were aware, then they (BN) wouldn't have won 8 times". He added by saying JAG will have to do more to make rakyat realize such behavior by certain MPs. He also said he would do his part in similar. The JAG representative said the MPs were making parliament a joke venue, "This effort (educating public) starts here but will continue everywhere, other NGOs are helping to distribute the brochures too",she said. When asked regarding main issue with women in Sg.Siput, Dr. Kumar said it was single mothers. "There is no proper childcare centers & the mothers get paid as low as RM 18 per day. Ministers only talk but these people are always ignored", he said. He also said there are certain religious sukarelawan group already started the effort to help these mothers & he will support them."We need to give care at first, before talking about democracy & other matters", he added. This JAG is apolitical & they stand on nobody's side. Their intention is solely to educate the public on their agenda & help rakyat to think for making a good choice on polling day.

I say : There are many parties with goodwill trying to help the rakyat especially during this election period. We could feel the positivity in their intention to really educate the rakyat.

I am also sad of the way supporters and/or members of a matured & ruling government party behaved in such rude & 

shameful manner towards a group of women activists. I salute the women for knowing their rights & stood to fight!