Former BN Minister Speaks Out Against Online Sexual Harassment Of DAP Assemblywomen
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Two DAP state assemblywomen, Jamaliah Jamaluddin of Bandar Utama and Lim Yi Wei of Kampung Tunku have found an ally in UMNO parliamentarian and former minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said – at least when it comes to online sexual harassment.
Following reports, Azalina, who previously served as Youth & Sports Minister, Tourism Minister, as well as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department under the Barisan Nasional government, shared her disgust of those who attack women online.
The MP of Pengerang condemned the action and invoked the Malay proverb “baling batu sembunyi tangan” where one feigns ignorance after being cruel to people. She also called the harassers cowards for their action.
The tweet comes after Bandar Utama state assemblywoman Jamaliah Jamaluddin lodged a police report on Saturday after receiving racist, sexist threats and violent threats of rape and murder. The social media user also made racist remarks against Kampung Tunku Adun Lim Yi Wei.
On Monday, the All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) reported a surge in online sexual harassment cases during the Movement Control Order (MCO).
Throughout the MCO, Awam has received multiple complaints of sexual harassment. In fact, 18.5% of all cases which comes through our helpline is made up of sexual harassment cases. Online sexual harassment accounts for 41.7% of these sexual harassment cases.
All Women’s Action Society via The Sun.
The non-governmental organisation (NGO) then urged the police and Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to take sterner action to counter this.
AWAM also stated that the severity of online sexual harassment cannot be undermined, citing the case of 20-year-old Thivya Nayagi who committed suicide after a slew of online abuse over a Tik Tok clip.
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