We Love Mak Bedah!

Nurul Izzah Anwar gets to speak to Mak Bedah

February 29th, 2008

According to our sources, we had heard that Nurul was going to be at two ceramahs this evening – one “Flat Sri Manja” (near Sri Sentosa), and later at Brickfields, near Nagas restaurant. At about 8.30pm, the seven of us piled into one of the Mak Bedah’s car and went in search of the ceramah in Sri Manja. We’d given up after quite a long and hopeless-seeming search. However, as we were heading out of Sri Manja, we saw Nurul’s Matt Rempit cavalcade going the other way. Mak Bedahs turned the car around and followed them. We saw at last where the ceramah was and parked the car some way up. However, by the time we all piled out of the car and sorted ourselves out, Nurul had given her lightning ceramah and was getting back into her car to be driven to Brickfields. Dismayed, we all went back to the car and headed with some speed to Brickfields.

Upon reaching Brickfields and finding a park near the huge ceramah site, we piled out again and started making our way through the crowd of 700-1,000. We slipped through crowd as they made way for us and were encouraged to head up the front. As we arrived Karpal Singh’s son (Gobind Singh) was addressing the crowd, speaking in support of the Hindraf detainees and against Samy Vellu. His distaste for Samy went on and on. We had a quick discussion and decided that the mood of the crowd and the sentiments raised by Gobind was not the best time nor with the best person to raise question questions on our issues. Our agenda may have been off-key with the prevailing sentiment at that point and perhaps generally so.

A member of the public checking out WCI’s shopping list during the ceramah

After some time, Gobind finished up and Nurul’s arrival was hailed by her Matt Rempit cavalcade and a small squad which lead her to the stage. One unfazable Mak Bedah managed to work he way up toward Nurul’s path and get her attention. Mak Bedah shouted across to her, and asked her views on whether sexual harassment in her opinion has a serious issue and if so, would you push for this. She gave us encouraging words of “Yes, yes, yes”.

Nurul addressed the crowd. She touched on several issues. When she started to look towards our direction, we raised our placards to catch her attention. On sight of us, she then started addressing the crowd on the importance of women’s issues but in a very broad way.

After she finished her speech, Mak Bedahs made our way to the side of the stage and, whilst another speaker was addressing the crowd, one of the Mak Bedahs waved at Nurul who then encouraged encouraged her to come up on stage. She immediately jumped up on the rear of the stage and Nurul went to the Mak Bedah’s side to talk to her. She was able to interview Nurul for about ten minutes. Nurul asked this particular Mak Bedah who she was and she replied, “Mak Bedah”. Nurul threw her head back and laughed. Nurul persisted and persisted and then Meera confessed to being Meera.

Mak Bedah and Nurul Izzah deep in conversation

Mak Bedah discussed with Nurul, with Malaysia’s international commitment to having 30% women in decision-making, as per Beijing Platform For Action and CEDAW (Nurul shrieked and said, “Yes! CEDAW!”). She brought Nurul’s attention to Badawi’s statement made last year that 20% is adequate and that Shahrizat never queried the matter. Nurul was taken aback and asked, “They said that?!” Mak Bedah confirmed this and asked, “Will you push for women to have more than 30% decision-making roles in parliament?” “Yes”, said Nurul.

Second, Mak Bedah asked her if she thought sexist remarks in parliament were a form of sexual harassment. Nurul firmly agreed. Mak Bedah asked if she would push for Sexual Harassment legislation to protect all women, not just parliamentarians - as all that we had now was a code of practice which was a “toothless tiger”. “Yes!” said Nurul.

Third, Mak Bedah pressed Nurul on freedom of religion. Nurul noted that it was a “difficult and sensitive issue” and that “Actually, we have to look at the syariah courts”. Mak Bedah pointed out to her and said, “My question to you is not about the syariah court, but on the constitutional issue”, and went on to describe scenarios like Lina Joy (Muslim women who no longer profess the Muslim faith) and that there are also some situations where non-Muslim women in general are affected. Mak Bedah pointed out to her on how some non-Muslim men threaten their wives of converting to Islam especially in cases of disputes on custody of the children, matrimonial problems etc. Nurul understand.

Mak Bedah persevered on the issue and queried about those who are forced to be Muslims even if they don’t believe in Islam. Nurul affirmed that they ought to have freedom of religion – the freedom to profess what they want to.

Mak Bedah: “Do men and women have the right to choose another religion when they do not profess the faith of Islam?”

Nurul affirmed this. Mak Bedah clarified, asking if she could take her affirmation of freedom of religion and freedom of choice back to her groups, and Nurul said yes.

Mak Bedah finally asked, “Do you endorse the principles of WCI?” And Nurul said, “Yes.” (The press secretary nervously asked Nurul if she’d read them and Nurul assured him that she had).

After a quick debriefing, we headed out of the area, leafleting along the way, and had a late dinner. We finished up at 11.30pm.

Entry Filed under: Ceramah, Nurul Izzah, PKR