KUALA LUMPUR – The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) has called for the immediate resignation of Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff following her alleged enablement of domestic violence.
The coalition, consisting of 14 local women’s rights groups, accused the deputy minister of supporting domestic abuse after Siti Zailah had uploaded an Instagram video suggesting that husbands discipline their wives with a “soft yet firm physical touch”.
“The deputy minister must step down for normalising domestic violence, which is a crime in Malaysia, as well as for perpetuating ideas and behaviours that are opposed to gender equality,” the group said today in a statement endorsed by 11 member organisations.
It added that during the movement control order in 2020 and 2021, there were 9,015 police reports on domestic violence, not including reports received by non-governmental organisations.
“There is often fear and stigma attached to the reporting of domestic violence, and this is made worse by statements such as those from Siti Zailah.
“As a minister meant to uphold gender equality and the rights of women to protection and safety, this (Siti Zailah’s statement) is abhorrent and denies women their right to equality, dignity, and freedom from degrading treatment,” it said.
The group added that Malaysia is a party to the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Womenand is, according to the 12th Malaysia Plan, committed to the goal of gender equality in all areas.
“Malaysia has even been elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council with the promise of prioritising the rights of vulnerable groups including children and women.
“However, a public statement against gender equality and promoting gender-based violence at the ministerial level is in direct contradiction to such positions,” it said, calling for immediate action from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun.
Among the groups in support of the call include the Women’s Aid Organisation, Sisters in Islam, the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC), and the All Women’s Action Society.
In the video, Siti Zailah had suggested that husbands rebuke their wives by “striking them” with a “soft yet firm” physical touch.
“Sometimes, the wife does not cover her aurat or does things that the husband does not like.
“It is then the role of the husband to educate in a good way. If the wife does not listen to his advice, then in Islam, the husband can pressure her by separating their sleeping quarters for three days.
“If the wife still refuses to be disciplined and continues practices that are against Allah’s commands, the husband can use a soft yet firm physical touch to show his strictness and how much he wants her to change,” she said, adding that the touch should not be painful and must instead be filled with affection. – The Vibes, February 14, 2022
