KUALA LUMPUR – As most frontliners are busy battling the Covid-19 pandemic, another alleged incident of police sexual harrassment at roadblocks has emerged on social media.
A netizen tweeted today about an incident she experienced where she left her details with a police officer at a roadblock, only to receive uncomfortable messages on Whatsapp later.
The user posted about her encounter with a police officer at a roadblock who stopped her and took down her personal details, including her phone number.
A few minutes later he texted her asking if he can get to know her better.
She however did not disclose the location of the roadblock and has since locked her account.
She however tagged the police’s official Twitter account, to which Bukit Aman’s Integrity Department responded and asked her for more details so that they can investigate the matter.
Meanwhile in a separate incident today, a woman lodged a police report claiming she was sexually harassed by a policeman while she was going through a roadblock along Jalan Duta today.
Speaking to FMT, Ain Sabrina Yusof, 24, said the policeman had asked her to lift up her blouse to avoid getting fined.
In a series of tweets on her profile, which has now been set on private, Sabrina said the policeman insisted on exchanging phone numbers, despite her telling him that she was uncomfortable.
“He gave me his phone and asked me to give him a missed call in front of him (so he could get her number).”
Sabrina, a systems analyst at a data consultancy company, said she was left shaken by the incident, adding that police should be protecting citizens, instead of harassing them.
According to All Women’s Action Society (Awam) programme and operations manager Nisha Sabanayagam, there was a trend of cops propositioning women at roadblocks during the movement control order (MCO).
“Awam usually encourages women to make reports to the police when they come to us about cases of sexual harassment, but with this trend of cops sexually harassing women at roadblocks, it’s going to be more challenging for us to work within the system with the police,” Nisha told the The Vibes when contacted.
To remediate the matter, Nisha recommended that a hotline be set up for complaints of police misconduct.
She also said Awam would be willing to work with Bukit Aman’s integrity unit on gender sensitivity training.
“While we applaud the quick response by the Bukit Aman Integrity Department on the bad behaviour of police officers, we sincerely hope that this is not merely a lip service,” she added.
Meanwhile, lawyer Kuhan Manokaran took the opportunity to explain that police have no right to ask for details such as phone numbers unless a person is detained.
He also slammed the actions of the officer, calling it unprofessional and unnecessary.
“The MCO roadblocks are there to ensure that people are complying with SOPs. If someone breaks the standard operating procedures (SOPs), they can get compounded.
“Thus, the police have no business taking down such details unless necessary for the sake of issuing fine,” Kuhan told The Vibes.
For lawyer Larissa Ann Louis, these problems of harassment are not isolated to misbehaving police officers.
“Women had this problem when we started writing down our personal details before entering shops for Covid-19 tracking purposes.
“I have personally received unwanted messages from shop owners. To have the same done by on-duty police officers is disturbing,” Larissa said.
She also said that since the woman who gave her phone number also gave her identification card number, the police officer would also probably know where she is staying.
“From a perspective of being safe, it has suddenly turned on staying safe,” Larissa added.
While the police responded to the netizen, stating they will look into the matter, it is unsure what repercussions await the copper.
In the meantime, those who have been sexually harassed can seek help by calling Awam at 016-2374-221. – The Vibes, February 13, 2021
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