A tweet from PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, which called for sanctions on a Twitter user for sexist remarks, has sparked debate on free speech.
Nurul Izzah had called on the new Communications and Multimedia Minister Gobind Singh Deo to "watch" the @fvrishvkimi Twitter account, which she claimed published abusive and sexist material.
The Twitter post in question had urged women not to wear tight pants to hide their “assets” from men who might get easily aroused.
"Please pity those men who always have to look at your assets. Some men whose iman (faith) is not strong will take turns to rape you.
"You can wear such pants, but if possible, try to cover up in the fasting month. Even the pious man who sees you would have his turban flying off," read the tweet.
In response to Nurul Izzah's tweet, Twitter user @pencaritenang questioned if Nurul Izzah was trying to clamp down on free speech.
"Harrass and disrespects differs to one another (sic). That is the price of having freedom of speech. You cannot blank just because it is vile," wrote @pencaritenang.
This is an unacceptable posting, @GobindSinghDeo . Would be prudent to place it under watch - to deter others from similarly threatening, abusive, sexist, and vile commentary twitter.com/fvrishvkimi/st…
Other users chimed in to point out that harassment and threats are not within the ambit of free speech.
"No. Harassment is not free speech. Rape culture is not free speech. The price of freedom is an engaged and proactive society. You're just on the wrong side," wrote @rebelrhyming.
Of late, Malaysia's Twittersphere has been discussing what is now known as the ‘Azrul incident’ or ‘Call-gate.’
Three days ago, a participant in a talkback radio show, identifying himself only as "Azrul," had criticisedNurul Izzah, who was a guest on the show, over her dressing.
He claimed that Nurul Izzah's attire revealed too much of her body.
Since then, many Twitter users had spoken up on their own "Azrul incidents" by providing examples of how men would walk up to them to criticise the way they dress. -Mkini
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