Yesterday, PKR senator Mohd Imran Abd Hamid proposed to enact a sexual harassment law to “protect” men from being “seduced” into committing crimes such as rape, reported Malaysiakini.
Since then, he has faced a lot of backlash from multiple parties such as Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Hannah Yeoh, the All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) and citizens alike.
Source: Malay Mail
Deputy minister Hannah Yeoh was one of the first to comment on this issue, saying in a brief statement that, “Babies and young children have been victims of a similar crime. They do not know how to seduce men, yet they become part of the statistics. God did not make men equal with animals. Men were given will power to decide, to think, to exercise restraint.”
Source: Facebook
On the same day, the All Women’s Action Society (AWAM) said in a statement that it is unacceptable for the senator to place the blame of rape, molestation, incest, porn and otherwise on the victim.
“After all, it is the perpetrator who must take responsibility for their own actions. The idea that victims are unable to access justice or demand some form or redress after undergoing such a dehumanising experience simply adds into the creation of a culture of fear and violence.”
Source: Malaysiakini
On 1st August, PKR Chief Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim rejected the suggestion by saying that it doesn’t make sense and it is very insulting towards women. He also said that the suggestion also gives the impression that men are immoral creatures and are easily seduced into doing despicable things, as reported by Free Malaysia Today.
Source: Awani
After all the backlash, the senator has since retracted the proposal in a statement.
“Although my intentions were sincere, I did not expect it to be a huge mistake which offended many women as well as men who considered it an insult.
“As such, I offer my apologies and retract my proposal.”
Good thing he did so! If this issue drags on, it would probably attract the attention of international media and will give our country a bad name!
Also read: M’sian Politician: Men “Seduced” Into RAPING Women Need to Be Protected by Law
