Nurul Izzah: 'Call-gate' harassment definitely not acceptable

Unequivocally unacceptable – that is the stance taken by Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar over the behaviour of a caller to a radio show she was on, on which she was publicly and explicitly rebuked over her dressing.
Referring to the incident as "Call-gate," Nurul Izzah said that the issue could no longer go unaddressed for the sake Malaysian women facing similar forms of harassment, both "unheard and unseen."
"In what has now been known as ‘Call-gate’, I believe the harassment and deeply invasive intrusion to my being by the caller was important for its ability to remind us all that such unwarranted harassment takes place almost on a daily basis — even against men.
"And when even an MP such as myself is not spared, what more can other women in Malaysia, unheard and unseen, expect on a regular basis?” she penned in a commentary for The Malay Mail.
"For the sake of Malaysian women who have faced similar harassment and to prevent further incidents in the future, this issue cannot go unaddressed.
“Therefore, I would like to clearly and unequivocally state: in no way was that caller’s behaviour acceptable on any level."

According to Nurul Izzah, this reflected the reality of Malaysia lagging behind when it comes to dealing with harassment against women, and being permeated by a "culture of patriarchy, sexism, and toxic masculinity" coupled with a lack of strong sexual harassment laws.
Society, too, must defend women from such injustices and engage more sensitivity when making comments on issues faced by women, she added.
This would require the active participation of all Malaysians, the PKR vice-president said, including menfolk.
"Men have to endeavour to unlearn a culture that objectifies women, to be self-aware of their privileges by virtue of their gender and seek to achieve some balance.
"It is our responsibility as Malaysians to address toxic masculinity and machismo as detrimental to both men and women.
"As much as it may be incumbent on women to dress modestly, it is equally incumbent on men to lower their gaze should they start to feel uncomfortable.”
Implement Sexual Harassment Act
Thanking those who came to her defence over the incident, Nurul Izzah, in turn, reiterated her support towards the Women's Affairs and Welfare Ministry’s proposal to introduce more comprehensive measures to better ensure women's welfare.

She also called for the implementation of the Sexual Harassment Act and Privacy Intrusion Act.
"With all the change our country is presently experiencing, it would be a waste if this positive energy was not harnessed to improve the lives of women," she said.
‘Call-gate’ occurred when Nurul Izzah – the daughter of Deputy Prime Minister and Women's Affairs and Welfare Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – received a call when she featured as a guest on a #FBILIVE programme last Friday.
The caller, who identified as ‘Azrul’, told her to take more care with her dressing, saying that "when your tudung shifts, people can see parts that they’re not supposed to see."
"We can see your underwear, can see your breasts,” the caller added.
In a video of the incident which later went viral, Nurul Izzah is clearly seen to have been taken aback.
The incident caused a stir on Twitterjaya, with many netizens coming to the her defence and condemning the man's actions.
Many women began sharing their own "Azrul incidents," while men shared experiences of women they know.
The host of the programme, Faizal Ismail, later explained that he had not been able to hear the caller's remarks clearly, and only realised what was said when listening to the audio recording of the show.

He said he apologised to Nurul immediately thereafter. -Mkini