DAP Wanita condemns the threats targeted towards Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin, made by Sharul Nizam Ab Rahim who posted on social media site, Facebook that “Once I’m on the bed, anyone, please contact the religious investigating officers. If you pity me, then just call them tomorrow night lah. At least, I can try her tonight.” The post was reported by The Malay Mail Online as was a response to Datuk Noor Farida Ariffin suggestions to abolish the khalwat Shariah Criminal Offences Enactment. After a user left a comment stating that such ‘jokes about rape or harassment were not funny’, he replied: “It’s my human right. So I will continue even if I’m called low”.
Rape and other acts of violence against women is no laughing matter, especially given the unsettling number of violent experiences women face offline; jokes and threats that are expressed online are equally (if not more) disturbing because they normalize negative attitudes and hostility towards women.
The secrecy of the internet makes cyber-bullying easier for people, however, Malaysia has adequate laws to protect citizens. Section 503 and 507 of the penal code deals with postings and threats made on social media and anonymous SMSes respectively, while Section 506 highlights the offences of criminal intimidation made through Facebook; those guilty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may be extended to two years or with fine or with both.
Furthermore, Section 211 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 states: “No content applications service provider, or other persons shall provide content which is indecent, obscene, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person”.
As the Minister of Communications and Multimedia, we urge Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek to speak up against these intimidating statements made on-line and the Inspector-General Police, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar to conduct investigations to prevent this from escalating further.
At the same time, we urge the police to investigate the lewd late night phone calls made to Maria Chin Abdullah and Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan. Intimidating behavior such as rape threats and sexually explicit phone calls have now become a widely tolerated and this is unacceptable.Threats made on-line and through SMSes should be taken as serious as those made in real life.