Redeem yourself, empower Kedah women - Wanita MCA tells Sanusi

 

Kedah menteri besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor can make up for his act of swatting a young woman with a piece of paper by introducing policies in the state to empower women, said Wanita MCA chairperson Wong You Fong.

She then urged their counterparts within the Perikatan Nasional coalition to lobby for such policies in Kedah.

“Wanita MCA urges Dewan Muslimat PAS, Srikandi Bersatu, and Wanita Gerakan to send a strong message to their coalition ally by alerting him that Kedah can progress further when due recognition is given to women.

“All is not lost: Sanusi can redeem himself by introducing policies to empower women in Kedah in all areas.

“In particular, tackling domestic violence, sexual, online, and physical harassment, violence, and stalking against women, tardy husbands or ex-husbands who abandon their spouses and children and do not heed court orders on maintenance, and others,” said Wong (above) in a statement today.

She also said a genuine apology from Sanusi over the incident would see him recognised as a statesperson who is gracious in admitting his error and taking measures to educate the public and safeguard women against assault and harassment.

Sanusi was previously criticised after a video surfaced showing him hitting a female student on the top of her head with a single folded piece of paper before everyone breaks into laughter.

He then posed for a photograph with the woman, handing her a different piece of paper.

Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor interacting with the student

The menteri besar has since defended himself, saying he was joking around.

“That is how us kampung folks fool around.

“The youth wanted to enter polytechnic the next day, but only gave a letter asking for aid on that day, so she got swatted.

“But she was still given RM650 to buy things for her to start off in polytechnic,” he said.

Normalising assault

Wong said describing the act as “normal” would have far-reaching consequences such as condoning assault on women.

She noted that the young woman mustered a “soft chuckle” when caught off guard in the presence of the menteri besar while surrounded by others who laughed.

“It would have been helpful if the Kedah menteri besar and others around him had been considerate and refrained from laughing.

“Oftentimes, an aid recipient is in no position to wince in disapproval, lest the benefactor be offended,” she said. - Mkini