Body for women policies launched

Women in charge: Heng addressing the crowd during the party wing’s AGM.

KUALA LUMPUR: Wanita MCA has formed a legal and policy development revisory committee to study all legal provisions and policies that oppress and marginalise women, said movement chief Datuk Heng Seai Kie.

“We look forward to collaborating with other women’s rights groups on this matter,” she said.

The movement will take the initiative to propose law reforms to the government that can better protect the rights of women and children.

Heng added the law reforms the committee will be looking at include a total ban on child marriages; the reintroduction of Clause 88A which prohibits unilateral conversion of minor children into the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976 and others.

“The common law legal system that we have today dates back to the British colonial era of more than a hundred years ago.

“As such, many of its provisions are quite outdated, and in need of review and amendments,” she said in her speech at the 43rd annual meeting of the general assembly of Wanita MCA 2018 yesterday.

In her speech earlier at the AGM, Chew said Wanita MCA has to redevelop itself and inspire more youngsters to join.

“If the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government does not commit another U-turn, voting age would be lowered to 18 in the next general election, and we will face local council elections in three years’ time.

“Considering the coming of more young voters and that we will be needing more talents to contest in local elections, the whole party including Wanita MCA, must reinvigorate and redevelop ourselves,” she said.

Heng said Wanita MCA will need to work closely with non-governmental organisations such as Bersih 2.0, Sisters in Islam, Suaram, Suhakam and EMPOWER.

Separately, Wanita MCA tells Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng to maintain the RM30mil matching grant for Tunku Abdul Rahman University College (TAR UC).

“He received 95% of the Chinese votes but now he is cutting the allocation for TAR UC, of which 95% of the students are Chinese. This is disappointing.

“Just because TAR UC is founded by MCA, Lim is cutting the funds? Please don’t love MCA so much,” Heng said sarcastically.