Marina Mahatir

Columnist (the Star), TV Personality, and Popular Malay Activist

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Marina is a human rights activist, prolific writer, and TV producer committed to gender empowerment, the prevention of HIV and reimagining Islamic democracy. Through her blog, her weekly column, Musings, and her decade-long award-winning television program “3R”—Respect, Relax and Respond—she unabashedly speaks out on culturally taboo topics and seeks to educate the public. She has raised funds to repair a catholic cemetery in Kuantan, generated awareness about urban injustices (in a variety of gender-related court cases) and openly discussed the need to overhaul the current education system in Malaysia. Marina is currently an out-spoken member of the Board of Sisters in Islam, a Malaysian-based civil society organization that advocates for justice and equality for Muslim women. In recognition of her social activism, she was named the UN Person of the Year by the United Nations in Malaysia in 2010 and listed on WomenDeliver.org’s list of 100 Most Inspiring People Delivering for Girls and Women in 2011. She is the daughter of former Prime Minister, Tun Mahathir Mohammad.