UPDATE:
Embattled
Malaysian Assemblymember Eli Wong goes back to
work (April 16, 2009)
Before she became a political
leader, Eli Wong was a tireless solidarity
campaigner for human rights, including in
Timor-Leste. She was a key organizer of the
second Asia-Pacific Conference for East Timor in
Malaysia in 1996 (which was broken up by
Mahatir's goons, with many people arrested,
including Eli), She attended a subsequent APCET
meeting in Bangkok.
*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ***
NEW YORKERS RALLY IN SUPPORT OF
EMBATTLED MALAYSIAN MP, DEFENDING WOMEN’S PRIVACY IN
POLITICS
Consulate demonstration to be held for
Assemblywoman & human rights activist Elizabeth Wong
When: Friday, February 20th 11am
Where: Malaysian Consulate 313 East 43
St. btw 2nd Ave. and Tudor City Pl.
New York – Supporters will rally at the
Malaysian Consulate in New York City this Friday to
demonstrate support of Elizabeth Wong, State Executive
Councilor and Bukit Lanjan Assemblywoman from Selangor,
Malaysia, amplifying the right of women in politics to
privacy.
This
week Assemblywoman Wong suffered from a politically
motivated strategy to discredit her in the Malaysian
press, through the distribution of supposedly
"undignified" photos of Wong. The photos were taken
without her knowledge or permission in the privacy of
her home. The circulation of these photos is a gross
invasion of a woman politician’s right to privacy.
“Wong’s political record is one of
integrity, she has committed no crime, and shouldn’t be
forced to resign, the attack on her personal life
illustrates the double standard political women face,
with more attention paid to superficial and irrelevant
matters than to their platform and political record,”
said friend and colleague in human rights advocacy,
Jessica Rucell.
In a statement released to the press,
Feb. 17 Wong said, “I have done nothing wrong. I am not
ashamed of my sexuality as a woman and as a single
person. I have broken no law. I stand by the fundamental
principle in a democracy that everyone has a right to
privacy.” As a result of the media barrage this week,
Assemblywoman Wong offered her full resignation to her
party, the People's Justice Party (PKR) and the Selangor
State Government, which are considering her resignation.
"Elizabeth Wong is an exemplary,
courageous woman and this smear against her should not
be allowed to sully her work and reputation,” said
Michael Renner, a researcher who has known Wong through
her work on the Aceh conflict in Indonesia.
 |
| NYC demo in support of Eli
Wong at the Malaysian Consulate, Feb.20. Photo
ETAN. |
The rally is being organized to give
support to a brave activist and politician whose privacy
and dignity have been violated. Calling for the PKR and
the Selangor State Government to reject Wong’s
resignation as a clear statement of support for the
protection of women's rights to privacy, and in
rejection of underhanded political tactics. The
government and the party should support Wong to continue
as Assemblywoman & Selangor Tourism, Consumer &
Environment Committee Chairman.
In her first year as Assemblywoman, Wong
has been an outspoken government advocate for
responsible development, environmental rights, poverty
alleviation, minority rights, and indigenous peoples’
rights. She has fought for a minimum wage for Malaysian
workers and greater rights for women. She is also
currently the Information Chief of the PKR Women's wing.
Wong has worked tirelessly as a human
rights advocate, before running for State Assembly in
2008, she was the Secretary-General of the National
Human Rights Society (Hakam). She was involved in the
creation of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Myanmar Caucus
for Democracy. And also worked for peace in Aceh, East
Timor and Mindanao. The rally is sponsored by Burma
Point; Code Pink Women for Peace; East Timor and
Indonesia Action Network; Transnational Institute
for Grassroots Research and Action–NY
###
