Deputy Minister under fire for "tips" on how to reprimand wives

SHAH ALAM - Deputy Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff recently came under fire for the ‘advice’ she gave men on Instagram yesterday (Feb 12).

In the two-minute clip, she gave tips to husbands on how to reprimand their wives when they engage in acts or behaviour that do not align with Islamic values.

She said that men must first advise their wives and “educate” them to go down the right path.

“If she still fails to take your advice, you may pressure her into changing her ways by not allowing her to sleep in the same bed as you for at least three days,” she elaborated.

She also added that in Islam, husbands are allowed to reprimand their wives physically in a “gentle but firm way” should they not listen to advice when given.

However, she also said that wives on the other hand, only have the option to pray if the tables are turned.

The video, meant to be “educational” for followers of her Instagram account, drew backlash.

One user berated Siti Zailah for the double standards shown in the video clip, stating that “a woman, deputy minister, and a mother” should never preach such statements in the first place.

Others pointed out that she would do well not to mix matters of religion with politics.

Permatang Pauh member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar had also weighed in and expressed her disappointment towards Siti Zailah for allegedly implying domestic violence so casually in the name of religion.

“It is a disservice and goes against current realities and needs”, she said, citing the increased numbers in domestic abuse cases that is made worse by the pandemic.