Describing it as “a form of colonialism,” the social activist said all Malaysians should be very concerned about the trend where Arabic culture was taking over Malaysian culture.
In an interview with Southeast Asia Globe magazine, Marina said: “This is a huge issue because it’s not just a matter of dress, but mentality.”
She said when she brought this up, there were those who asked what was wrong with such an attitude, as Malaysia had always absorbed different things.
“Yeah, but we absorb it normally, organically. These days it feels imposed. There’s so much pressure. If you work in the Government sector as a woman you feel compelled to wear the tudung (headscarf) or you are sidelined.”
On Women’s rights, Marina said: “Malaysia is a funny place. Honestly, it’s not like many Muslim countries. Women here are educated and achieve high positions. But the mentality remains, especially among men, that a woman’s place is smaller. Especially at home, women always have to submit to the husband.” She said this attitude had much to do with religious law.
Asked about the “Save Malaysia” campaign led by her father, former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, she said: “I think it’s good. I was there for the ‘People’s Congress’ on 27 March, where my dad was keynote speaker.
“Just seeing the line-up, the greatest achievement was having all these (political enemies) expressing different opinions, but as equals, forced to respect each other.
“You see, politics in this country is all about: ‘I’m right, the other side is the devil.’ It was great to see attendees listen to the Opposition with expressions on their faces like: ‘Well, this guy is making a lot of sense, too.’ This allows for such a broader perspective, it’s a great achievement.”
On the Bersih rallies demanding for free and fair elections, and speaking up against actions of the authorities that are detrimental to society, she said many people had told her, “You say what we think”.
Marina told the magazine that Malaysians have had a good life and had, therefore, become too complacent about what was happening in the nation.
Everything, she said, was about not wanting to give up the nice life.
On her father, Marina said: “I keep telling people I’m not my dad’s PR person, he’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself… We have very different opinions.”