Introduction: Malaysian Critique And Experience Of Femenism

Abstract

All the essays in this compilation take the feminist influence for granted in Malaysian society. Yet, this would be impossible if not for the involvement of women scholars in multifarious activities to advance the cause of women. Many Malaysian women have participated simultaneously as social activists, policy consultants as well as academics in the stream of activities involving women's concerns. Along with these developments came many insinuations about and criticisms against the women's movement. It is undeniable that Malaysian women who became involved and organized in the women's cause especially during the last decade were largely educated in secular and western institutions. A liberal lifestyle, an open democratic system were some of the values which these groups of women advocated. They reacted to the criticisms of the fundamentalist and conservative forces by claiming that they were struggling for universal rights. In countering opposition forces, Malaysian women pointed out that the branding of women's aspirations as a western import, was not really a criticism against the West but in actual fact was an expression of the fear of women's growing power in society.