‘Obedient wives’ anger PBB women

Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu leaders are divided on the proposal by the Obedient Wives Club to set up a branch in Kuching.

KUCHING: The controversy-ridden Obedient Wives’ Club (OWC) appears to have already driven a wedge within the Barisan Nasional lead-party,Parti Pesaka Bumiputra (PBB).

The club, which encourages women to be submissive and perform better in bed, has triggered a conflict among the Youth and Women wings of the party.

PBB Youth chief Fadillah Yusof is not only supporting the club, but will also officiate at the setting up of a branch of OWC at MJC Batu Kawah.

But PBB woman leader, Fatimah Abdullah, who is also the minister in the chief minister’s office, is dead against the formation of OWC.

National PKR vice-president, Voon Shiak Ni said that Sarawak PKR women were shocked and disappointed with the stance displayed by PBB leaders.

“Their inconsistent stance is clearly calculated to mislead and confuse the people in the state,” she said.

Voon was commenting on a recent report disclosing that the OWC is to set up a branch in a new township in Kuching.

The promoter of the club revealed that PBB Youth chief and science, technologies and innovation deputy minister Fadillah Yusof will be officiating at the launch of the OWC.

Last week, OWC vice-president Dr Rohaya Mohamad shocked Malaysians when she reportedly said that the club would give sex lessons to women so that they could “serve” their husbands better and to ensure that they do not look for prostitutes.

Like their counterparts in peninsular Malaysia, the Sarawak women are against the setting of such club.

Confusing signals

Voon said: “They are confusing the people. While Fadillah is said to be supportive of the OWC, Fatimah Abdullah is saying that the OWC should be scrapped.”

She said the state BN component parties must make clear their stance on the setting up of the OWC branch in Sarawak.

“It is embarrassing for Fatimah to announce her objection to the setting up of OWC, but for her BN and PBB colleague to act otherwise.

“While it is the OWC promoters and organisers’ rights to freedom of association, they should also take heed that their announcement to set up the club has triggered objections and adverse comments from the men, women and the civil societies.

“It is worse when the BN state leaders are taking different and contradicting stances on the matter, disregarding the voice and feelings of Sarawakians.

“PKR Women wing is taking this matter seriously. It appears clear that the Sarawak BN leaders are insensitive and nonchalant towards women’s rights and dignity.

“Furthermore, the change of their stance reflects plainly that the BN component parties in Sarawak are dictated by Umno.

“If Umno and other BN are supporting such a club, the whole issue is a distraction to the people’s focus on our failing economy, mounting inflation, price hikes, withdrawal of subsidy…,” said Voon.