He has a successful wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, who was instrumental in rolling out the nationwide family planning programme, about the time of Merdeka. He has an equally successful daughter, who is supportive of marginalised communities and has helped publicise the plight of HIV/AIDS sufferers. Furthermore, he has been a vocal critic of Malay men who prefer to read "soft" subjects, like religious studies, at university.
Despite being called many derogatory names in the past, including a dictator and "mahafiraun", there is one thing you may have not been aware of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad. He is a feminist. Like the Canadian PM, Justine Trudeau. Or the actor, Benedict Cumberbatch.
Many people dislike the term "feminist". It may mean many things to different people. Some abhor the term because it is commonly portrayed as anti-male. It is nothing of the sort. Generally, the term 'feminist', is used to describe someone who believes that women should be accorded the same rights, opportunities and power as men, and be treated in the same way.
In the past, Mahathir has praised Malaysian women, whom he said dared to take up challenging courses at university, like engineering, the sciences and medicine, unlike their male peers.
There is a stark difference between disgraced former PM, Najib Abdul Razak, and Mahathir in their promotion of women.
During his tenure, Najib would roll out the women in his Cabinet for International Women's Day, get a few high profile females to praise his efforts to promote their cause, and he would broadcast that the quotas for women in public life were fulfilled. Mahathir has done one better. He does not just talk, he goes into action.
Mahathir has promoted women into top positions, without making a big song and dance about it, because it is what one does that matters, and not what one claims one will do. In Malaysia, the irony is that many things are done just for show and maximum publicity.
Ever since he became PM again, after GE-14, Mahathir has quietly championed the women, whom he recognises as having the potential to lead. Many are women with whom he has worked, like the former ambassador to the Netherlands, Noor Farida Ariffin (above).
Strong women who are principled, who know their stuff, who are not easily daunted by the males in our patriarchal society, who are not easily fobbed off by the race, religious and royalty rhetoric, and who are willing to make a stand and be heard. Mahathir has recognised their positive traits and has placed them at the helm of many critical institutions in government.
Malaysia is a male-dominated society, in which religion helps to oppress women. Hadi Awang, the PAS president, wants women to stay at home, look after the family and procreate. His message is contrary to that which many fathers tell their daughters, which is to get an education and be financially independent. Hadi once opposed the nomination of Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail to become the Mentri Besar of Selangor. Ironically, she is now the DPM.
Critics have slammed Mahathir for nominating Latheefa Koya (below) as the new MACC chief. Perhaps the critics are aware that Latheefa is a no-nonsense person who has strict principles and is not afraid to perform to the best of her ability.
Malaysians have been let down by successive governments, which refused to censure misogynists and sexists in Parliament. If the bigots and chauvinists cannot be punished there, just think of the millions of women who have been let down because of bureaucracy or male dominance.
The Malaysia which Najib left behind was a country riddled with corruption, corrupt officials and overspending, even though the Treasury was running on empty. Mahathir must accomplish a lot in the short time that he has left. Najib and the Umno-Baru bandwagon hope that they can re-assume power after GE15. They want to wipe the slate clean and sweep all the Umno-Baru corruption cases under the carpet.
An acquaintance, who was defended by Latheefa, said, "Some people may think she is abrasive, but that is because she is capable, and is not afraid to speak out. I would rather have her as my lawyer. Even the police were fearful of her."
The rakyat want results. They trust very few people. Malaysia needs to recover quickly, but the pool of those who could create reform, and have not been compromised by Najib, or his acolytes, is very small.
If anyone can help in the transformation of Malaysia, it is Latheefa. She will improve our standing in the world and make us believe in ourselves once again.
The only people who need fear Latheefa, or oppose her appointment, are the corrupt, and those who have something to hide. We need more Latheefas to lead important institutions, to weed out the corrupt officials, and to put things right.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.