REQUIRING women to obtain permission before travelling overseas on their own is not only discriminatory but a violation of their rights.

It is right that the prime minister vetoed the suggestion by the foreign minister a few days ago (“It’s not on”— NST, May 6). We have to express concer n about an increase in the number of women being duped, or otherwise, into carrying drugs for international syndic at e s , resulting in their detention overseas. However, the proposal for them to seek permission from their parents or their employers before travelling is un - thinkable. Parents may insist their children must obtain their consent before travelling but as adults their daughters or sons have their right to decide for thems e l ve s. The issue of helping wo m e n not to be misled or duped into drug trafficking overseas must be addressed logically and rationally. The public needs to be constantly educated and made aware of the dangers of being influenced and lured by job offers, some too good to be true, and end up being caught in drug schemes. Women or men who respond to attractive job offers overseas must be more vigilant. They must check with the authorities about the authen - ticity of jobs or the organisations that offer them. The Foreign Ministry should verify these job offers through its m i s s i o n s. Those seeking attractive employment in foreign lands should be more cautious and not fall victim to drug syndic at e s. At the end of the day, all Malaysians, irrespective of gender, must be constantly reminded that whatever they do abroad, they must exercise common sense. They must avoid being naïve and make the right judgment.

Source: NST – May 9, 2008