Press Statement by Chong Eng in Bukit Mertajam on Monday, 8^th June 2009:

Government must give priority on security and violence against women, not dress code guides

Bukit Mertajam Member of Parliament and incumbent DAP all-women Mulan's branch chairperson, Chong Eng, at the branch's AGM yesterday called on all Pakatan Rakyat State Governments to give priority to urgent needs when addressing women's issue rather than putting the policy cart before the horse and focusing on imposing Islamic values on dress code for women, instead. While she encouraged the Government to adopt policies to protect women and advertisers to discourage use of scantily-clad women to sell a product, she pointed out that there are many more pressing problems faced by women in the present day. These include safety and security, sexual harrassment, rape, domestic violence and domestic economic issues.

Chong Eng gave the example of PAS and pointed out that if it was to become a people's political party, it should address those critical issues which affects all women but not to impose its Islamic values on every group of people. The Kedah State Government's introduction of a new advise related to advertisement to impose Muslim models to wear head scarves is another example of this issue. While Chong Eng lauded the regulation is in good faith to safeguard the image of the women and respect for women, the State Government should not loose sight of basic freedom of expressions while implementing such policies. The wearing of the hijab or Muslim head scarves are rights of the Muslim women and must be respected, but this should never be enforced on all advertising models.

She also added that although we practice the principle of "when in Rome, do as the Romans do", reporters covering PAS Muktamar should not be questioned for not wearing head scarves as long as they are consistent with standards of decency.

The branch AGM ended with Chong Eng returned as Chairperson of the DAP Mulan branch without contest. The branch also adopted three resolutions as follow:

1. Commendation to the Penang State Government for the appointment of the first female District Officer (DO), Rohani Hassan to be DO of Seberang Perai Selatan district.

2. The Penang Women, Family and Community Development Committee to conduct more programs

3. Support for the Penang State Government to implement policies to promote gender equality

* Chong Eng, DAP Wanita Chairperson & MP for Bukit Mertajam