KUCHING – Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has been told to support national diving champion Datuk Pandelela Rinong for her courage to speak up on being a victim of alleged sexual harassment for seven years – and not downplay her revelation.
“It is very insensitive and unprofessional of Faizal – being a minister – to downplay our Olympian diver’s revelation of alleged sexual harassment that she had tolerated and endured,” said lawyer-cum-social activist Voon Shiak Ni.
“Faizal, you may not be a woman and may not understand the impact of those sexual utterances and jokes, but it is everyone’s duty to protect our girls and women against any form of abuse and harassment whether it is reported earlier or later.
“Late reporting does not make any crime a lesser crime, or less traumatic,” Voon – who is head of the Council of Malaysian Women Political Leaders’ Sarawak chapter – said to The Vibes.
Meanwhile, Pandelela posted on Twitter last night that she had shared her unpleasant experience to give awareness to the public and support for other victims.
She pointed out that victims are always faced with the dilemma of whether to speak up or not.
“Most importantly, enablers (harassers) and their backups shouldn’t be glamourised. Others may forget, but not the victim,” she said.
Her message received an outpouring of support from netizens who encouraged her to expose alleged harassment activities and voice out on behalf of victims of sexual aggression.
I shared my “not so nice” experience to give awareness to the public, and support for victims out there, who are always in dilemma, whether to speak up or stay silent. Most importantly, enabler and their backups shouldn’t be glamorised. Others may forget, but not the victim.
— Pandelela Rinong (@Pandelela_R) October 25, 2021
Voon said Pandelela has done the right thing, and that she is courageous and bold in using her platform to speak up not only for herself – but for all our girls and women.
“She is using her influence to encourage all those victims who may still be suffering in silence in their home and workplace, and we are proud of her for raising up the issue,” she said.
“It is common knowledge that many cases of sexual abuse or harassment are shelved by the victims themselves because of the public stigma and threats on reporting or exposing sex crimes. It takes a lot of courage and bravery to report these crimes eventually,” she added.
“It would be in good order for Faizal to apologise to our diving queen from Sarawak, and all women and girls for downplaying reports of sexual harassment.
Voon reminded Faizal that he is a Malaysian minister sitting in the cabinet for the people, and that he should support Pandelela instead of questioning her motives.
Yesterday, Faizal was reported to have questioned the two-time Olympic medal winner’s move to raise the allegation of sexual harassment by her former coach as the incident had happened seven years ago.
On October 21, The Vibes reported Sarawak leaders voicing their support for Pandelela after she revealed in a series of tweets that she was bullied by a coach whom she berated for constantly making lewd jokes. – The Vibes, October 26, 2021
