DAP stands with Azalina against ‘disgraceful’ remark

Hannah Yeoh and Yeo Bee Yin condemn a Facebook post that insulted the minister and 'violated female dignity'.

PETALING JAYA: Two DAP representatives have condemned a Facebook post made against Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Azalina Othman as “a disgrace to female dignity”.

The post, which was made by Facebook user Otai BERSIH last Thursday, showed a picture of Azalina with the caption “Tiada seorang pun sanggup nak rogol saya.” (No one is willing to rape me).

The post has since been taken down, but the Facebook account remains active.

Damansara Utama assemblywoman Yeo Bee Yin said such personal attacks could not be condoned, but nevertheless told the Facebook user to apologise to Azalina.

“We should not be making personal attacks, especially ones which so blatantly violate female dignity,” she told FMT. “There’s always a boundary in our public space.”

She said DAP would in “no way” support anyone speaking ill of women, even if the targets were the party’s opponents.

“DAP has always advocated mature politics. We can argue over things like policies, but we shouldn’t resort to making personal attacks.”

Selangor state assembly speaker Hannah Yeoh also spoke against the post on her Twitter account, calling it “horrible”. She added that such personal attacks could never be justified.

“Solidarity with Azalina,” she wrote. “I condemn such acts which show disrespect towards women. Personal attacks are never called for.”

Azalina’s office has issued a statement saying reports have been made against the Facebook user with the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC).

This is not the first time the opposition has stood with Azalina.

Last month, the government and opposition MPs came together to express their support for the Child Sexual Crime Bill 2017, appearing together in a united front at a press conference in Parliament.

Azalina was the one who tabled the bill in the Dewan Rakyat. She said she was confident that all members of the house would play a role in improving it during the debate. -FMT