I am totally disgusted by the recent events surrounding the passing of the Islamic Family Law (IFL) Bill. Firstly, I am outraged by the fact that women senators who opposed the bill were basically strong-armed by Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Aziz into doing so.

Nazri was reported as saying that the women senators "are free to debate and speak their mind, but when it comes to a vote, they have to follow." What is the point of being 'free to debate' when the conclusion is a foregone one? Is this the government's concept of democracy basically giving lip service to principles of free speech and choice, while forcing people to do

what it wants?

As offensive as Nazri's behaviour is the fact that the IFL Bill represents a huge step backwards for Malaysians not just Muslim women, who would suffer most from the discriminatory and unjust provisions in the bill, but all Malaysians as these provisions run counter to our rights to social justice and democratic principles of government.

The bill essentially is slanted towards protecting men notwithstanding the fact that current Islamic laws can hardly be accused of neglecting men's rights - and making it easier for them to commit polygamy, obtain divorce, etc. For instance, one of the provisions of the bill means that men wishing to commit polygamy will just have to show that it is necessary to take another wife (previously, they had to show it was necessary and just).

Another provision makes it easier for men to obtain divorce this must have taken some ingenuity on the part of those drawing up the bill for it is hard to imagine how much easier it can be given the current situation where men can divorce their wives for no reason and even through SMS.

Given such disturbing elements in the bill, why the big rush to push it through? The reasons we have been given so far that this is in the interest of all states having a uniform Syariah family law is not an acceptable reason to push through a bill that clearly violates the rights of a large number of the population; and the human rights of all citizens.

And why were there no attempts by the authorities to consult the public and seek our views on a bill that addresses issues of great public importance? After all, those declarations and assurances by our prime minister, the minister for women's affairs, etc, about Malaysia's commitment to protecting human and women's rights, the importance of Islam Hadhari etc, etc, is this what it boils down to?