While Bregitta Wong Fui Lin is entitled to her freedom of expression as expressed in her letters Shahrizat, what's your game plan now? and Minister, what's your current stand? , it needs to be pointed out that her intrusion into the Islamic Family Law (IFL) amendments debate is indeed abrasive.

Wong's mauling of the honourable minister is baffling given the recent media reports that highlighted the support for Shahrizat from organisations representing mainstream Islam, many of whose members are women drawn from various professional backgrounds.

After studying the bill in detail, they affirmed that it conforms to the objectives and methodology of the syariah. It was very unfortunate that the way the bill was initially tabled confused many quarters, including Muslim women senators, women groups and members of the public.

Being a member of the cabinet charged with a high-profile portfolio, making a U-turn on such a major issue makes the minister open to ridicule and abuse. But it was an enlightened one based on good faith and a correct attitude toward such a complex religious and legal issue.