Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam Should Apologise To Women For Insulting Them With
Heartless Remarks Implying That Husbands Have A Right To Abandon Them If
They Are Childless As Even In Law, There Is No Legal Right For
Men To Divorce Women On Grounds Of Childlessness
Media Statement
by Betty Chew Gek Cheng
(Melaka, Friday): Melaka
Chief Minister Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam should apologise to women for insulting
women with a male chauvinistic example when calling on Kota Melaka voters in
a Chinese New Year function in Taman Anika Flats to stop supporting DAP
after 33 years and change to supporting BN. Datuk Mohd Ali had said, "If you
marry your wife for 33 years and she still cannot give birth to a child, I
think there is no more hope left. The voters should consider changing to
another formula to try, do not continue to drag on needlessly".
It is clear that the CM is clearly putting the blame on childlessness on the
wives and not the husbands. And that if a wife can not give birth to a
child, Datuk Mohd Ali implies that the husband has a right to leave the wife
as there is "no more hope left". Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam is clearly trying to
joke at DAP's expense to ask voters to abandon the DAP just like the husband
abandoning the childless wife, to achieve his political objective. But he
should not try to gain political mileage by insulting women's dignity and
honour in such an irresponsible and insensitive manner.
Childlessness is not justifiable grounds for a man to abandon a women. It is
most heartless for a Chief Minister to suggest a man to leave his wife on
such grounds. Speaking as a family lawyer, at law there is no legal right
for men to divorce women on grounds of childlessness.
Childlessness is a real problem that is a sensitive issue to many families.
It is wrong for Datuk Mohd. Ali to put the blame on the women as in many
cases, it is caused by husbands. However this problem can not be resolved by
blaming the husband or the wife. Blaming either one party does not solve
problems but getting proper medical treatment and counselling for the
husband and wife helps. It is a known fact that the CM's proposal of leaving
the woman just because she can not give birth to a child is primitive,
outdated and a chauvinistic thinking.
For Datuk Mohd. Ali Rustam to repeat the traditional joke blaming women for
childlessness is heartless and grossly unfair to women as it ignores the
fact that men and not women may have been responsible. These comments have
caused unhappiness amongst women who feel that Datuk Mohd Ali is not serious
in women's issues and rights.
I urge Datuk Mohd Ali Rustam to apologise for such an insensitive joke or
else I would pursue this matter in the State Assembly meeting and highlight
his unfair remarks to women's groups nationally, including Datuk Seri Dr
Siti Hasmah, the wife of the Prime Minister. I also call on BN Wanita to
counsel and advice Datuk Mohd Ali to stop such insulting remarks against
women.
(21/2/2003)
* Betty Chew Gek Cheng,
DAP Wanita Melaka Chair And State Assemblywoman For
Durian Daun
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