Angry Malay Woman

Multicultural cohesion: who is doing it?

A person brought to my attention an article by Farish Noor who bemoans (he does a lot of this in his writings of late) the national impasse of bringing Malaysians together no thanks to a linguistic and culturally segregated education system. Aside from not talking about segregated education system as colonial heritage whose impact on… Continue reading Multicultural cohesion: who is doing it?

Writer-researcher, in residence

It’s been sometime since I posted anything here. Much has happened since my last post; my return to Malaysia last November, beginning my fieldwork research in Indonesia the following month, attending feminist events in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia, and establishing links with the region’s feminist activists in the process. Because many important events have happened… Continue reading Writer-researcher, in residence

Kelompok anti-Hari Kekasih patut hentikan fikiran lucah mereka

Disiarkan di Merdeka Review, tanggal 14 Februari 2012. Pertembungan pandangan berbeza tentang sambutan Hari Kekasih telah lama wujud dan akan terus kekal sampai bila-bila. Yang membuatkan penulis hairan adalah perkara yang paling ditentang keras oleh PAS, badan keagamaan seperti JAKIM dan yang sewaktu dengannya jarang diutarakan sama sekali. Bahkan perkara itulah yang dilihat menembus jambakan… Continue reading Kelompok anti-Hari Kekasih patut hentikan fikiran lucah mereka

The transmen community is still overshadowed by phallocentric logic in Malaysia

First published on Engenderings, the LSE blog for gender and sexual diversity In several scenes from the recent but quickly forgotten Malaysian film, “Aku Bukan Tomboy” (I’m Not a Tomboy, 2011), masculine women and transmen alike were disparaged as not being ‘real’ men for lacking a bioglogical penis. The film makes clear that not only… Continue reading The transmen community is still overshadowed by phallocentric logic in Malaysia

Advice for Valentine’s Day Lovers: Play Fair (for Loyar Berkasih)

First published for Loyar Burok, on 12th February 2012. Recently, PAS managed to let their guard down with a statement saying that Muslims can celebrate Valentine’s Day … but strictly according to a moral guideline painstakingly spelled out by the head of PAS Youth, Nasaruddin Ali. A celebration of love, albeit a kitsch and mercilessly… Continue reading Advice for Valentine’s Day Lovers: Play Fair (for Loyar Berkasih)

Sexuality can never be a private affair

“Why can’t these gay rights activists keep their sexuality issues private? No one needs to have their sexual preferences shoved in our (sic) faces or marching down the streets like they do in gay pride marches. Sexuality should be a private matter, like religion.” Sounds familiar? It’s what people say when they don’t like to… Continue reading Sexuality can never be a private affair

Menilai semula sikap rakyat terhadap ahli politik wanita

First published on Merdeka Review, 27 January 2012. Sudah menjadi tabiat sesetengah orang Malaysia menghina perempuan dengan kekerasan yang berbaur seksual dan kelucahan; ancaman rogol dan dikecam sebagai pelacur atau perempuan murahan. Lelaki yang dikritik dan dimaki hamun tidak akan menerima kecaman yang sebegitu. Ini adalah kerana orang perempuan dianggap sasaran yang lemah layu dan… Continue reading Menilai semula sikap rakyat terhadap ahli politik wanita

Laki-laki feminis, sila tampil ke hadapan

Dalam kolum saya di Merdeka Review baru-baru ini, saya membincangkan tentang tanggungjawab kita sebagai sebuah masyarakat dalam menangani isu misogyni (atau pembencian wanita di bawah dan atas sedar) di Malaysia. Hari ini, saya ingin menjemput pembaca untuk memikirkan tentang peranan lelaki dalam menangani seksisme dan penyertaan mereka dalam gerakan feminisme. Boleh dikatakan bahawa tanggungjawab yang… Continue reading Laki-laki feminis, sila tampil ke hadapan

Malaysian feminism in 2012?

As I write this in Jakarta, my thoughts are about what we can do to get feminism buzzing in the Malaysian public discourse this year. When I say getting feminism in the Malaysian public discourse, I mean getthing people talking about feminism and gender inequality, and hopefully do something about gender and intersectional injustice. In… Continue reading Malaysian feminism in 2012?

Being gay in Malaysia: The myths and realities

In a class I was teaching recently about transgender identities in Indonesian films, I explained that Upi Avianto’s 2006 film Realita Cinta dan Rock n Roll broke the mould of many earlier Indonesian films depicting trans* people, as it featured a transwoman character who was a mother (played by action actor Barry Prima), who was… Continue reading Being gay in Malaysia: The myths and realities