“SYERLEENA Abdul Rashid should resign from the parliament select committee on women, children and community development!”
Such is the damning verdict from Boo Su-Lyn, the editor-in-chief of independent health portal CodeBlue following the DAP lawmaker’s statement on false rape accusations.
Quite unable to conceal her frustrations at what she perceives at as a massive letdown from a female DAP lawmaker on this issue, the former Malay Mail Online assistant news editor lashed out at the Bukit Bendera MP for her “disgusting remarks blaming rape victims, including underaged girls who cannot consent to s*x”.
Certainly, rape and victim welfare are very serious issues, not least when it comes to the onus of proof.
This was made abundantly clear by the 2016 recipient of the SUHAKAM media award for her “extraordinary reporting on human rights issues” where she argued that there is a persistent narrative to paint rape victims as conniving “honey traps”.
The non-plussed social and political commenter also took issue with Syerleena’s definition used to classify victims, declaring that “statutory rape laws are meant to protect girls”.
Consensual vs forced s*x
Few things to note about this outburst.
First and foremost, Boo is absolutely right in highlighting concerns that certain parties have tried to include rape victims when prosecuting cases. Those are valid concerns and demand greater debate from lawmakers, NGOs and society at large.
However, the anger and frustration seem misplaced. Watch the clip that was uploaded on Syerleena’s TikTok account and listen to what the former Seri Delima state assemblywoman actually had to say.
She very clearly defined “rape as non-consensual, forced s*x against a woman or engaging in the act with a minor.”
It is clearly stated and there are even subtitles for added clarity. Nowhere is the blame attached to underaged girls for being complicit in luring men into sexual activity.
The point the Penang Green Lane Convent alumni was making has to do with women who willingly, consensually and knowingly engage in sexual activity, only to allege rape when the men abscond after getting what they want.
“Do not fall for the men’s sweet promises,” counselled Syerleena. “As a female wakil rakyat, I’ll always fight for women’s rights but at the same time, I intend to be fair towards the menfolk.”
Outlining that false allegations can ruin lives as the men not only face time behind bars but are also liable to be whipped with a criminal record forever tarnishing a person’s reputation.
Her advice was quite simple and straightforward. To the ladies, please think carefully before agreeing to conjugal relations. One cannot falsely accuse rape when promises are not kept or when the relationship turns sour. It was contended that this is fitnah (malicious lies).
For the menfolk, please do not make promises of matrimony when there is no intention of tying the knot. It will only lead to acrimony and potentially being on the wrong end of a very serious accusation.
“Rape is a very serious crime that deserves serious punishment but false allegations of rape is equally serious and should also be punished,” concluded the first-term parliamentarian.
The apparent misunderstanding from the senior journo was quickly pounced upon by netizens who did not mince their words. One described her tweet as “idiotic” while more than a few questioned her grasp of the national language.
Given the misconstrued interpretations, some have questioned the writer’s integrity and whether this was a mere exercise in Pakatan Harapan (PH) bashing.
Perhaps it was a knee jerk reaction to a highly emotive topic. Or as suggested by some commenters, it was just a convenient excuse to criticise the DAP – and by extension – the incumbent administration.
Whatever the reason, it does appear this esteemed journo could have misread the situation. Focus Malaysia
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.