Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching has blasted the social media attacks against Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid, calling them “extreme defamation”.
The DAP lawmaker urged for strong action to clamp down on the false accusation that her party colleague was attempting to change the country’s official religion.
"I represent the DAP women's wing in strongly condemning the slanderous attack that was hurled against Syerleena through social media recently.
"The defamation that claims she is 'fighting to change Malaysia's official religion' and 'will attack Islamic institutions, especially Jakim (Malaysian Islamic Development Department)' is irresponsible and has the potential to cause tension and division in society.
"Attacks like this, aimed especially at Malay members in DAP, are a continuation of dangerous rhetoric such as 'kafir harbi' which must be stopped immediately," Teo demanded in a statement today.
Teo emphasised that defamation of Malay women in DAP not only tarnishes their reputation but can also open the door to gender-based violence.
"The World Economic Forum (WEF) study in the Gender Gap Index 2024 report has already shown that Malaysia ranks among the lowest in terms of women's empowerment in politics.
"So, how do we empower more women to participate in politics if this kind of slanderous situation continues?" she asked.
Daughter of communist lie
On Saturday, Syerleena lodged a police report against those who claimed she was fighting to change the national religion.
"These claims are clearly extreme slanders spread by irresponsible parties with the intent to create a negative perception of me, my party, and the Madani government among the public, especially the Malay community.
"In the same post, there is also an individual who falsely claimed that Communist Party of Malaya leader Rashid Maidin is my father, when in fact, my late father, Abdul Rashid Hanafi, was a school teacher who just passed away in early June,” she said.
A TikTok user posted a video with an image depicting Syerleena along with text that seemingly attributes quotes to her on changing the national religion to Christianity and her purported vow to attack Islamic institutions, particularly Jakim.
In a video Syerleena posted on Facebook, she said that the poster in the TikTok background first surfaced in 2017.
Quit targeting women
Teo believed that the police will carry out a transparent and fair investigation into the report.
"On behalf of DAP Women, we are confident that the truth will be proven and justice will be upheld to stop this increasingly widespread culture of defamation.
"Before we raise our chests, wanting gender equality and more women's involvement in politics, we should first improve the environment where women feel safe and supported to move forward.
"And that's why a programme like (DAP's women empowerment programme) Herlead is important to support a woman's career trajectory and it also provides an ecosystem where the sisterhood between women can be used in any situation," the deputy minister added. - Mkini
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