WAO ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - Women's Aid Organisation

7. 2. 2 National Roundtable Discussion with Heads of D11 Divisions in Malaysia on
the Implementation of the DVA 1994
Following the Roundtable Discussion with service providers and from feedback from
participants, WAO then called for a National Roundtable Discussion with PDRM’s D11 Division
heads to present the challenges faced by service providers in accessing the law and presenting
proposed amendments to the DVA 1994. The D11 Department currently overseas and attends
to domestic violence cases. The D11 Division of Bukit Aman was very receptive of this and
offered to host the event. This was held on 27th October 2009 at Quality Hotel, Shah Alam.
The event was attended by WAO’s President, Executive Director, Social Workers and
Programme Officer. On behalf of the Police it was most favourable to have Deputy
Commissioner of Police, Datuk Acryl Sani Bin Abdullah Sani chair the discussion which was
attended by heads of D11 department from all states including Federal Territory, Labuan and
Putrajaya. Also present was Tuan Salahuddin Hidayat, Legal Advisor from the Ministry of
Women, Family and Community Development (MWFCD). This meeting marked the first
consultation between Police personnel and NGO representatives to come together and work on
the issue of domestic violence.
It was a fruitful discussion and overall the Police were receptive to complains and suggestions
put forward particularly suggestions on having to fast-track the process of obtaining the IPO and
to the expansion of the definition of the DVA 1994 to include emotional, psychological, and
mental abuse. We were also informed by Tuan Salahuddin that the new proposed amendments
to the DVA 1994 included provisions for stalking and persistent communication. However, there
was still strong reluctance on the suggestion to extend protection to non-married couples and
dating partners.
As an outcome of the meeting it was suggested that both parties continue to hold further
discussions such as these in the future and WAO was ensured that the D11 department of Bukit
Aman will help us call for a meeting with the AG’s Chambers to further discuss the reform of the
DVA 1994.
7.3 Coalition Work
Advocacy through coalitions can be effective as joint voices over an issue carry more weight.
Whether it is joint press statements, memorandums and events, we have been very involved.
WAO belongs to eight (8) coalitions but not necessarily active in all of them. We are affiliate
members of the National Council of Women’s Organisation (NCWO) and Malaysian Aids Council
(MAC). The Joint Acton Group for Gender Equality (JAG) is not a legal entity but it has become a
recognised entity made up of five (5) organisations, (WAO, SIS, WCC Penang, AWAM and
Empower). WAO acts as the secretariat to two (2) coalitions namely Article 11 and the Migration
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