Malaysia plans women travel curbs
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/asia-pacific/7382859.stm
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Sigh. Another example of women being reigned in on the pretext of "for your own protection." And when will they restrict men's travels?
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From the sublime to the ridiculous is but one step--Napolean Bonaparte
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Interesting. I'm yet to read about this in the local papers - will probably see it tomorrow (I'm a Malaysian). Whatever the motive might be, I don't think this is a very wise move, especially since it appears to border on the chauvinistic. Like all men who travel out from the country are completely innocent of 'suspicious' motives! I would say the best way to tackle the problem is to educate everyone, both men, women and children on how to travel safely - from basics like do not carry a stranger's luggage, etc. which many of us are still quite ignorant about.
However what with the March 8 election results (where the opposition gained very strong votes, one which we locals call the 'political tsunami'), I am of the opinion that the Malaysian govt would be much more careful before officially implementing such moves today.
Is this the same nation that bans all Israeli citizens from visiting but makes exceptions when it comes to money?
I wonder sometimes why some nations haven't adopted the ideas of women needing permission slips for meerly existing (ie. procreation purposes). Seriously in the future, I don't think this would surprise me.
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When we resolve to hurt, this is when we resolve to fail.
Leaa,i quietly in my own way despise both fools and fanatics..Point?? You came out of my body,my rib!! Whether you did or didn't is totally immaterial!!! the point being that you came from me and our children come from out of you!!! He made us to be together,A house without a woman is simply bricks and mortar..We could not exist without you,of course we are equal..Listen,people sure there are certain differences but you don't have to be jethro to figgure out division of responsibility..Ladies,you are designed to complEment us and we to you..The rest is just crossing the Ts and dotting the Is..
Leaa,i quietly in my own way despise both fools and fanatics..Point?? You came out of my body,my rib!! Whether you did or didn't is totally immaterial!!! the point being that you came from me and our children come from out of you!!! He made us to be together,A house without a woman is simply bricks and mortar..We could not exist without you,of course we are equal..Listen,people sure there are certain differences but you don't have to be jethro to figgure out division of responsibility..Ladies,you are designed to complEment us and we to you..The rest is just crossing the Ts and dotting the Is..
You bet we compliment you 
It's just too bad not all nations feel like you do.
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When we resolve to hurt, this is when we resolve to fail.
Where there's a head, there ought to be a body and subsequently, a tail. Since no one's bothered to post up a follow-up to the story, I suppose I'll do it.
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/malaysia/2008/05/06/155106/PM-scraps.htm
Yes, the Prime Minister scrapped the plan. Happy now, all? Glad the Foreign Minister who proposed the plan isn't the Prime Minister as well.
Where there's a head, there ought to be a body and subsequently, a tail. Since no one's bothered to post up a follow-up to the story, I suppose I'll do it.
http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/malaysia/2008/05/06/155106/PM-scraps.htm
Yes, the Prime Minister scrapped the plan. Happy now, all? Glad the Foreign Minister who proposed the plan isn't the Prime Minister as well.
Thank you for the update. Yes this should make many women most happy, especially the ones who travel. 
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When we resolve to hurt, this is when we resolve to fail.
Yes, rem, I'm very happy. Not just that the plan was scrapped, but for some certain words I read in ths article:
"How can we ask an adult person to report to the mother or to her parents? They have to lead their own lives," Syed Hamid said. "We do not discriminate against women. So long as it is an adult person, it is within their right to travel anywhere." (Spoken by Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar.) I just wish some other countries would realise how ridiculous it is that women must do this (or have a "guardian" all their lives, as if they were children).
"Foreign Minister Rais Yatim proposed the move over the weekend as a way of deterring the use of Malaysian women as couriers for illicit drugs." Ah, maybe Mr. Yatim will consent to *himself* having to carry a letter from his boss, since now smugglers know women are being more careful, and will try to dupe arrogant people who think they are above talking to smugglers. Or maybe he will allow the government to take guardianship of his bank account contents as a way to deter online fraud and money laundering.
Thanks, rem.
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From the sublime to the ridiculous is but one step--Napolean Bonaparte
more creeping annexation?? Soon they will only be allowed to travel in the company of a male relative,like in the koran..