Pleased to share our new paper (co-authored with @womensaidorg colleagues), published in @MelbLawSchool's Australian Journal of Asian Law.

"Negotiating Ideations: The Role of State-led Identity-
Making in the Progress of Women’s Rights in Malaysia"

papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cf… Basically, we argue that:

Yes, women’s legal rights in Malaysia strengthened in the past 5 years (resulting from efforts by CSOs, government & others); however, the law reforms achieved were ones the state views as congruous with its wider identity-making project for citizens.

It's the start of #16DaysOfActivism - a global campaign to end gender-based violence.

The #GE15 manifestos had 3 proposals on gender-based violence.

In conjunction with #16Days, the govt can commit to adopting these proposals right away.

Some recommendations:👇 (1) Enact the anti-stalking law #MakeStalkingACrime

This was in PN's manifesto, but all coalitions would agree. Dewan Rakyat already passed the Bill, but not the Senate.

Govt could commit to: A) pass the Bill as is; or B) improve the Bill (wao.org.my/tabling-of-law…) then pass it

HARAPAN, BN, and PN #GE15 manifestos – which is best on women rights? My review👇 It may not be possible to definitively say "which is best".

Instead, I suggest a brief framework for analysis (asking 5 questions of each manifesto), and I offer some thoughts on policy commitments I felt were particularly noteworthy.

Malaysians overseas (incl. students & spouses), to register for #GE15 #UndiPos:

1) Create MySPR account myspr.spr.gov.my

Best do asap - just need MyKad.

2) With this account, you can later (when SPR says so) apply online for postal voting.

FAQ: spr.gov.my/ms/pilihan-ray… I registered for my MySPR account yesterday, and it was approved the same day by SPR.

Malaysian Chinese must understand:

Our experience as a minority in Malaysia is NOT THE SAME as Malaysian Indians' - who on top of institutional discrimination also face societal racism & colourism If you are Malaysian Chinese, you probably have never been: refused a (private sector) job, told you couldn't rent an apartment, followed around a store - due to your race.