No laws should discriminate against women, says CM

KUCHING,Sept 28, 2014: Chief Minister  Adenan Satem has asked anyone in Sarawak who comes across of laws or legislations which are seen as discriminating against women to tell him so he can have such laws or legislations amended.

Adenan (picture) says men and women are equal

“You tell me about it, and I will have it changed. If there is any state legislation that discriminates against women, I want to change," he said when addressing the state level Women's Day 2014 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) here yesterday.

“And if there is any federal legislation, tell me about it, and I will ask Members of Parliament, who are my friends, to have it amended so that there will be no discrimination against women in federal or state laws. Our constitution says, there shall be no discrimination on the grounds of race, religion and sex," he was quoted as saying in the local press.

He said no laws which are discriminating in nature women should be enacted.

He said it is against human rights to discriminate against anyone, whether they are women or otherwise.

Adenan agreed with former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the fight for women rights “is the fight for human rights and not just for women”.

“It is part and parcel of the agenda to fight for human rights. You see how women are oppressed in certain countries where women are treated as less value than a camel, treated as things or objects and so on with no rights at all," he said, referring to some Arab countries where women are being treated unfairly and are have no rights to vote or even to drive vehicles.

He disagreed with former Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, who is UMNO Women chief, that the government engaged at least 30 per cent of women at the decision-making level.

He said women should be engaged based on their capability, not on the quota system.

He thought it was an insult to the women to impose such a quota, implying that women are not capable to be at the decision-making level, but engaged nevertheless.

“It should depend on ability. You cannot occupy the position in any organisation simply because you are women. You must show that you can do it, and that you are qualified to do it.

“I don’t believe in this quota system. If you want to fill the quota, you must be qualified, not simply because you are women.”

He said he has faith that women could deliver just as much as, if not better than men, if they are given an equal chance.

“In the old, old days, women were denied simple education and lots of them were illiterate. But of course, we have changed this attitude. Realise your potential and together with men, you will develop this beloved state of ours.”