Uncertain times lie ahead for many Malaysians, with events over the weekend leaving many of the country’s progressives wondering just how they got left behind as the Pakatan Harapan government continues their tenure.
News has emerged from the prime minister’s office that Selangor religious authorities have been tasked with investigating the launch of Unveiling Choice, and the small symposium that occurred Saturday in conjunction with the memoir printed by bookstore and publishing house Gerakbudaya.
https://www.facebook.com/DrMujahidYusofRawa/posts/2216319805073507
Religious Affairs Minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa wrote on his official Facebook account that he was taking the incident seriously, calling for a “fair” investigation in the matter.
The book in question was written by activist Maryam Lee, and chronicles her experience, as well as that of two other women, in deciding to remove the hijab.
It should be noted that wearing the hijab is not mandatory for Muslim women in Malaysia, outside of Kelantan, where those who work in the public sector are required to don it, making news of the investigations very surprising to many — women’s rights groups and Gerakbudaya included.
Kenyataan media dari @mrymler @diandujour dan Mohani. kami di @GerakBudaya juga bersetuju untuk kenyataan bersama ini. pic.twitter.com/Yz1AfyBIWa
— Gerakbudaya | SIRD (@GerakBudaya) April 17, 2019
Yesterday, the bookstore/publishing house issued a statement, confirming that the forum was held Saturday, and that they were the subject of social media backlash on Sunday. They have maintained that those speaking critically of the forum were not there and have no idea what was covered, nor the nuance behind the topic.
“As a result, they spread misinformation of what was being discussed and [their] distorted perception of the book, the author, and the panelists,” the statement reads.
Bio ringkas penulis dan pembicara di forum peluncuran #UnveilingChice pada sabtu ini. pic.twitter.com/dXoops0vJm
— Gerakbudaya | SIRD (@GerakBudaya) April 11, 2019
Sounds about accurate for most of the opinions in Twitterville: Not quite informed, but have something to tweet anyway.
Yesterday, authorities from Jabatam Agama Islam Selangor (JAIS) visited Gerakbudaya, taking copies of the book, and speaking to a representative from the organization. They are offering their full cooperation into the investigations, while maintaining that they have done nothing wrong.
“It’s just a sharing of experience, nothing more than that,” said Maryam Lee, the author of the book. She has referred to the hijab as “both liberating, and oppressive.”
“(Some) say this is something to promote “de-hijabbing” — that’s not true. It’s a book about experience,” Reuters quoted her as saying.
JAIS has declined to comment on the matter beyond stating that the investigations were ongoing.
Gerakbudaya’s social media profile description states that they specialize in “critical & alternative perspectives & hidden histories of Southeast Asia and the wider world.”
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