Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Dr Mashitah Ibrahim said the controversy created by the Obedient Wives Club (OWC) was a move to gain publicity and popularity so as to

attract more members.

She said the club’s existence also raised questions among the public who feared that it would be misused by unscrupulous men to send the wrong message to women about obedience to their spouses.

“If I’m not mistaken, they (club) are an offshoot of the (banned) Al-Arqam movement as they originate from the Ikhwan Global group.

“My guess is that the group is conducted by their husbands and they might be sending the wrong message to wives on what constitutes obedience to a husband,” she told reporters after opening the Kota Baru Puteri Umno delegates’ meeting today.

She said the relevant authorities must review the club’s existence to find out who were really behind the setting up of the club and its activities.

        

“I am concerned because everywhere I go I hear about the term, obedient.

“For example, a husband can use the term to ask his first wife to seek the hand of another woman to be his second wife, and that if she doesn’t do it, she is regarded as a disobedient wife. It will be a husband’s weapon to manipulate the situation,” she added.

Recently, vice-president of the Obedient Wives Club, Dr Rohaya Mohamed, advised wives in Malaysia to remain obedient to their husbands and to serve them better than a first-class prostitute to prevent them from straying.

The statement was heavily criticised by various quarters and forced Mashitah to request the Registrar of Societies to review the club’s registration.

The club was also reported to be offering sex lessons to keep husbands happy in the bedroom.

Mashitah, however, said a couple’s sexual relationship was private and should not be aired to the public.

- Bernama