Ministry’s silence on Ain Husniza’s case a gross miscarriage of justice: S’gor PH lawmakers

KUALA LUMPUR – The Education Ministry’s inaction and school’s decision in hanging Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam out to dry following her exposé of a teacher’s trivialisation of rape is a miscarriage of justice. 
 
In a joint statement, Selangor Pakatan Harapan MPs and state assemblymen said the ministry’s silence has left a black mark on the country’s democracy, as it insinuates that those who speak out will be regarded as dissidents and agitators. 
 
“The ministry has chosen to ignore the elephant in the room when it should be expected of them to ensure justice is served. 
 
“There is an urgent need to raise awareness on gender sensitivity among teachers and students as respect, equality and justice are values that Malaysians would want to have for a better nation. 
 
“A gender equality act, as proposed by PH, must be in place to ensure our girls and boys are protected,” they said. 
 
Ain Husniza made headlines last month after she exposed her teacher’s rape jokes, in which, among others, it was suggested that it is okay to rape girls over the age of 18.
 
After receiving a rape threat from a schoolmate, the student-activist has not attended class for fear of her safety.
 
Also, no action has been taken against the teacher or the male student who issued the rape threat. 
 
Ain Husniza, meanwhile, was recently served a warning letter from her school for not attending class, warning that she faces expulsion if her truancy persists. 
 
Ain Husniza has also had to face online abuse from certain quarters following her revelation, the latest supposedly being from her own principal, who labelled her as “anak setan” (Satan’s child). The comment has since been deleted.
 
PH lawmakers said whether intentional or otherwise, the principal’s comment has given the green-light to other educators and students to view jokes about violence against women as acceptable, as well as to demean those who question the status quo. 
 
They called on the ministry to take stern disciplinary action against the headmistress if it is true that she had made the repulsive comment. 
 
“Ain Husniza is now a victim of a failed system that does not understand nor support girls’ and women’s rights, but instead, sees itself fit to defend teachers and students who promote rape and the culture of violence. 
 
“There is definitely a miscarriage of justice. The person who dares to voice up against such culture gets penalised by her own school, while the teacher and student who made the threat gets away with not even a slap on the wrist.”
 
The MPs and assemblymen said the school’s decision to ignore Ain Husniza’s education right, besides making no attempt to ensure the school environment is safe for her to return to, is unacceptable. 
 
“Children will take the cue from their educators and rape jokes will be normalised.” – The Vibes, May 10, 2021