A COALITION of women’s rights organisations has called for the immediate removal of promotional materials for the television show Pak Su Ammara, alleging that the advertisements perpetuate misogynistic and harmful gender norms.
In a joint press statement released today, 15 civil society organisations and activists expressed alarm over advertisements displayed on MRT trains and stations, which they say reinforce sexist assumptions about women’s roles in marriage and society.
According to images circulating on social media, the advertisements featured statements such as “A wife who refuses emotional and physical needs will sin and be kept far from heaven,” “A wife must respect her husband,” and “What’s the point of a wife being highly educated if she can’t cook?”
Another message read, “There is no point having a beautiful wife if she does not respect her husband.”
The group also said that such messaging normalises the idea that women are obligated to obey their husbands, fulfil sexual expectations, and remain confined to domestic roles.
“Allowing a popular television programme to disseminate these messages risks reinforcing discriminatory beliefs and legitimising gender inequality.”
“While provocative marketing and so-called ‘clickbait’ strategies are often used to attract attention, this does not excuse messaging that humiliates women or suggests they are inferior or required to submit to their spouses,” the statement said.
The organisations also highlighted the broader social context, noting that women in Malaysia continue to face systemic discrimination, compounded by a rise in online violence against women.
The statement referenced Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s remarks on International Women’s Day in March 2025, when he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding women’s rights and dignity and ensuring equal opportunities in all spheres of life.
The coalition called on the Ministry of Communications to investigate how the advertisements were approved for display in public spaces.
They also urged MRT Corp, Astro, and the producers of Pak Su Ammara to remove the advertisements immediately and issue a public apology.
Beyond the immediate incident, the organisations stressed that companies have a responsibility to ensure marketing strategies do not legitimise harmful gender norms.
They urged the Ministry of Communications to establish clear guidelines to prevent sexist and discriminatory messaging in public advertising, and for corporate marketing teams to receive better education on gender issues.
The statement was endorsed by, among others, Persatuan Martabat Untuk Semua Petaling Jaya (Martabat PJ), EMPOWER, Family Frontiers, Tenaganita, Women’s Aid Organisation, All Women’s Action Society (AWAM), Justice for Sisters, and the Association of Women Lawyers (AWL). – February 4, 2026
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