It is heartbreaking to read some of the statements made by some 'luminaries' of society. Day in and out, we read about women being sexually abused and/or murdered. And just how the country's able thinkers are dealing with this worrying situation is another cause for concern.

Some of our 'capable' individuals have gone on record to make the most ludicrous of statements, if what we read in The Malay Mail (Feb 21) is any measure of their ability to comprehend the magnitude of the problems.

Responding to the recent rape and murder of student Li Ming Qian from China, MCA public services and complaints department head Michael Chong was quoted as saying that women should not go out alone. If possible, they should avoid going out at night.

Much help that is.

Islamic Women's Consultative Council chairperson Kamilia Ibrahim adopted a 'paradigm shift' by saying that, in Islam, there are parameters to be applied to prevent tragedies.

Among these are that women should not walk alone as they are not as strong as men. They must also not expose themselves to danger and should be aware that walking alone at night invites trouble. And that if they return home late from work, they must walk in well lit areas and avoid using the same route every night.

Sadly, her remarks hold little worth for the single woman who has to rely on herself when it comes to being safe.

How does Kamilia suggest a single mother or a single working woman get on with the daily demands of life? Does such a woman go in search of a chaperone for hire, a bodyguard to tail her everywhere, in the hope that she will escape the clutches of those who would prey on her?

What has walking alone got to do with 'physical strength'? Is Kamilia saying that, because women are not as strong as men, they should make arrangements to inconvenience another person to accompany them each time they leave home?

No one, whether woman or man, wants to court danger. And certainly, no one fancies walking home alone at night. But the fact of life is that there are many of us forced by the circumstances to lead a solitary life.

Clouded wisdom

Kamilia's religious perspective only serves to insult the intelligence of people who, despite the circumstances, take precautions to remain safe.

As for walking along well lit areas, it would do Kamilia good to turun padang (go on the ground) to get a reality check. While Malaysians do not demand absolute perfection from the government, they do plead through elected representatives to ensure neighbourhoods are well lit and police patrols conducted periodically. But how often is this acted upon?

What has Kamilia to say about the many badly-maintained roads, absence of safe walkways and poorly lit bus shelters?

Why stop at advising women to bear in mind they are less able physically than men to counter danger? Why not encourage women to equip themselves with self-defence skills? Why not make the call for the various government agencies to formulate neighbourhood-friendly programmes to ensure people have the opportunity to tread the streets safely?

It is frustrating to see how whimsically a particular religion is used to offer guidance to women. Why the need to emphasise "in Islam"? Are such parameters not available in other religions?

Kamilia forgets she lives in a multi-racial society and her sentiments reflect her insensitivity to the feelings of non-Muslim women.

Our fear of seeing a divide between Malaysians of different ethnic backgrounds is already taking shape. Segregation is unfortunately already in the making, as subtle as it made be at times, through remarks made by public figures.

Incidentally, it was also Kamilia who, on Valentine's Day, stated that Muslims should refrain from celebrating this occasion of love and affection. Her reasoning? That this is not within Islamic culture and traditions, that it is a day to commemorate a priest named St Valentine, and that such celebrations could encourage vice among teenagers.

Truly, it is befuddling that anyone could deduce that a joyous occasion like Valentine's Day encourages maksiat (vice).

Watch your words

Following the recent three murders of women, all that we can conclude from Kamilia's so-called advice is that Muslim women must bear in mind the parameters laid down by Islam while their non-Muslim contemporaries should figure out how to keep themselves safe while travelling to and from work.

As much I try not to be cynical, reading Kamilia's words leaves me with little recourse. Religion becomes exclusive for the benefit of just one group, leaving the rest of humanity to go hunting for its salvation. Is this what the meaning of humility vis-a-vis humanity has come to?

I recall watching a news item on TV3's Buletin Utama about how a group of youngsters used Valentine's Day as an opportunity to raise empathy for those affected by the Dec 26 tsunami. This overwhelming gesture is courtesy of Feb 14. Now, what has Kamilia got to say about this?

The lesson to be drawn is that if we have nothing worthwhile to say, it is best to hold our tongue and contemplate instead if we could say something that would make a difference.

A piece of advice to Kamilia and all politicians - when exposing your thoughts, bear in mind what English author Samuel Johnson said: 'Language is the dress of thought.'

You have nothing to lose and much to gain!

JJ RAY started her career with a mainstream publication. A non-conformist, she soon saw the barriers that went up whenever, through her writing, she tried to make the world a home for one and all.