The Star online. News. Nation. Wednesday September 19, 2007
IPOH: Five men have been remanded for three days until tomorrow for kidnapping and molesting a 19-year-old girl.
District CID chief Deputy Supt S. Glenn Anthony said the five suspects, aged between 20 and 30, were picked up here on Monday.
He said investigation on the case was ongoing.
On Sept 13, the girl was taken on a terror ride from Tanjung Rambutan here, where she was believed to have been molested.
Showing posts with label sexual harassment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sexual harassment. Show all posts
Wednesday, 19 September 2007
Friday, 3 August 2007
2007 08: Girl claims teacher molested her
The Star Online. News. Nation. Sunday July 29, 2007
ALOR STAR: A 16-year-old schoolgirl has lodged a police report alleging that a teacher had molested her.
She claimed that the teacher had given her RM15 after he had caressed her cheek, breasts and thigh.
She said the incident occurred at about noon in a small room inside the school’s arts room on Wednesday.
She said she had earlier asked the teacher to send her elder sister, who is in Form Five, home as she was suffering from tonsillitis.
“I asked my friend to accompany us as I did not want to be alone with the teacher on our way back to school.
“When we reached the school, the teacher parked the car in a secluded area and asked my friend to go back to the classroom,” she said, adding that the teacher asked her to follow him to a room where he allegedly molested her.
She said he later gave her RM15.
“I threw the money and rushed back home,” the girl said.
Kubang Pasu OCPD Supt Mohd Karim Abu confirmed that the girl had lodged a report alleging that her teacher molested her.
“We have questioned the teacher. The teacher claimed he did not do it,” he said.
ALOR STAR: A 16-year-old schoolgirl has lodged a police report alleging that a teacher had molested her.
She claimed that the teacher had given her RM15 after he had caressed her cheek, breasts and thigh.
She said the incident occurred at about noon in a small room inside the school’s arts room on Wednesday.
She said she had earlier asked the teacher to send her elder sister, who is in Form Five, home as she was suffering from tonsillitis.
“I asked my friend to accompany us as I did not want to be alone with the teacher on our way back to school.
“When we reached the school, the teacher parked the car in a secluded area and asked my friend to go back to the classroom,” she said, adding that the teacher asked her to follow him to a room where he allegedly molested her.
She said he later gave her RM15.
“I threw the money and rushed back home,” the girl said.
Kubang Pasu OCPD Supt Mohd Karim Abu confirmed that the girl had lodged a report alleging that her teacher molested her.
“We have questioned the teacher. The teacher claimed he did not do it,” he said.
Monday, 16 July 2007
2007: 07 Code to tackle sexual harassment not enough
The Star online. News. Parliament. Tuesday July 10, 2007
SEXUAL harassment at the workplace was a topic of heated discussion in the House with several MPs demanding for more to be done to address the problem.
Datuk Markiman Kobiran (BN – Hulu Langat) said that introducing a code of practice to prevent sexual harassment as presently done was only a half measure.
“Many times, sexual harassment happens at the workplace because of a superior’s action against a weak victim.
“The code (introduced in 1999) is a good effort but is not serious enough to tackle the problem as many victims are suffering silently.
“They can’t protest, complain or fight the action due to
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar replied that sexual harassment at the workplace had not reached a serious level as only six cases were reported so far this year and 254 cases over the last eight years.
“Nevertheless, we are increasing awareness especially among employers on the need to keep employees safe and secure,” he said, adding the Employment Act could be amended to include a section on sexual harassment.
Fong Po Kuan (DAP – Batu Gajah) criticised Abdul Rahman’s reply, questioning why an Anti-Sexual Harassment Act could not be drafted as including it in the Employment Act would only limit its power.
SEXUAL harassment at the workplace was a topic of heated discussion in the House with several MPs demanding for more to be done to address the problem.
Datuk Markiman Kobiran (BN – Hulu Langat) said that introducing a code of practice to prevent sexual harassment as presently done was only a half measure.
“Many times, sexual harassment happens at the workplace because of a superior’s action against a weak victim.
“The code (introduced in 1999) is a good effort but is not serious enough to tackle the problem as many victims are suffering silently.
“They can’t protest, complain or fight the action due to
Deputy Human Resources Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Bakar replied that sexual harassment at the workplace had not reached a serious level as only six cases were reported so far this year and 254 cases over the last eight years.
“Nevertheless, we are increasing awareness especially among employers on the need to keep employees safe and secure,” he said, adding the Employment Act could be amended to include a section on sexual harassment.
Fong Po Kuan (DAP – Batu Gajah) criticised Abdul Rahman’s reply, questioning why an Anti-Sexual Harassment Act could not be drafted as including it in the Employment Act would only limit its power.
Monday, 2 July 2007
2007 06: 22 sackings from 200 disciplinary cases
The Star online. News. Parliament. Friday June 29, 2007
TWO hundred disciplinary cases were filed against teachers from January to May this year, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar said.
He said of the 200, the ministry investigated and settled some of the cases, in which 22 teachers were sacked.
“Others include 17 teachers who had their salaries deducted, 17 others lost their emoluments, 10 received warnings, five cases were settled through the administration process, four teachers were freed, two were demoted and one had his increment held back,” he said in reply to a supplementary question by Datuk Mat Yasir Ikhsan (BN – Sabak Bernam).
Noh said the most serious problem among the teachers was absence from work (37%), followed by sexual harassment (17%), corruption (15%), dishonest behaviour and insubordination (10%), drug abuse (9.5%), syariah criminal cases (7%), theft (6%) and incurring debts (1%).
Earlier, replying to Mat Yasir’s original question, he said the ministry’s human resources department’s counselling and integrity branch took the 3P programme approach (development, prevention and rehabilitation) to rehabilitate the teachers.
He said the development programme aimed at improving the work attitude of the officers and staff through increasing their knowledge and enhancing their career opportunities.
“The preventive programme is to help the ministry maintain its human capital by increasing the teachers’ skills and knowledge.
“The rehabilitation programme is to help them to improve themselves and help those who have personal or psychological problems,” said Noh.
He also said that up to April 30 this year, 88 staff and officers of the ministry had been referred to the counselling branch.
“The counselling sessions will enable them to orientate themselves and get back to the organisation’s system,” he said.
TWO hundred disciplinary cases were filed against teachers from January to May this year, Deputy Education Minister Datuk Noh Omar said.
He said of the 200, the ministry investigated and settled some of the cases, in which 22 teachers were sacked.
“Others include 17 teachers who had their salaries deducted, 17 others lost their emoluments, 10 received warnings, five cases were settled through the administration process, four teachers were freed, two were demoted and one had his increment held back,” he said in reply to a supplementary question by Datuk Mat Yasir Ikhsan (BN – Sabak Bernam).
Noh said the most serious problem among the teachers was absence from work (37%), followed by sexual harassment (17%), corruption (15%), dishonest behaviour and insubordination (10%), drug abuse (9.5%), syariah criminal cases (7%), theft (6%) and incurring debts (1%).
Earlier, replying to Mat Yasir’s original question, he said the ministry’s human resources department’s counselling and integrity branch took the 3P programme approach (development, prevention and rehabilitation) to rehabilitate the teachers.
He said the development programme aimed at improving the work attitude of the officers and staff through increasing their knowledge and enhancing their career opportunities.
“The preventive programme is to help the ministry maintain its human capital by increasing the teachers’ skills and knowledge.
“The rehabilitation programme is to help them to improve themselves and help those who have personal or psychological problems,” said Noh.
He also said that up to April 30 this year, 88 staff and officers of the ministry had been referred to the counselling branch.
“The counselling sessions will enable them to orientate themselves and get back to the organisation’s system,” he said.
Thursday, 28 June 2007
2007 06: Worker told to make defence against sodomy and rape charges
The Star online. News. Courts. Saturday June 16, 2007
KUALA LUMPUR: An Alam Flora worker has been ordered to defend charges against him of sodomising and raping an underage girl.
The 42-year-old man allegedly sodomised the girl at a house in Sentul here on two occasions.
The first incident allegedly took place between 8pm and 8.30pm on July 18, 2003.
He allegedly sodomised the 13-year-old girl again between 9pm and 9.30pm on March 2, 2004.
The man also faces a charge of raping the girl at the same house on one occasion between July 2003 and February 2004.
The girl lodged a police report over the alleged incidents on March 4, 2004.
The man had, on March 18, 2004, claimed trial to all charges.
Sessions Court judge Akhtar Tahir set Aug 7 for the accused to enter his defence.
In a magistrate's court, a despatch rider claimed trial to molesting a 12-year-old boy last month.
M. Murali Krishna, 36, had allegedly pulled down the boy’s pants and rubbed his private parts against the minor.
The offence allegedly occurred under a bridge at Sungai Kerayong in Jalan Besar, Kepong, at 11.40am on May 24.
Magistrate Azniza Mohd Ali set bail at RM5,000 in one surety and fixed Aug 3 for mention.
KUALA LUMPUR: An Alam Flora worker has been ordered to defend charges against him of sodomising and raping an underage girl.
The 42-year-old man allegedly sodomised the girl at a house in Sentul here on two occasions.
The first incident allegedly took place between 8pm and 8.30pm on July 18, 2003.
He allegedly sodomised the 13-year-old girl again between 9pm and 9.30pm on March 2, 2004.
The man also faces a charge of raping the girl at the same house on one occasion between July 2003 and February 2004.
The girl lodged a police report over the alleged incidents on March 4, 2004.
The man had, on March 18, 2004, claimed trial to all charges.
Sessions Court judge Akhtar Tahir set Aug 7 for the accused to enter his defence.
In a magistrate's court, a despatch rider claimed trial to molesting a 12-year-old boy last month.
M. Murali Krishna, 36, had allegedly pulled down the boy’s pants and rubbed his private parts against the minor.
The offence allegedly occurred under a bridge at Sungai Kerayong in Jalan Besar, Kepong, at 11.40am on May 24.
Magistrate Azniza Mohd Ali set bail at RM5,000 in one surety and fixed Aug 3 for mention.
Wednesday, 23 May 2007
2007 05: Two Penang reps make an issue of women’s dressing
The Star online. News. Nation. Wednesday May 23, 2007
PENANG: After the recent “bocor” (leak) controversy in the Dewan Rakyat, one would have thought that backbenchers would know enough to stay clear of sexist remarks.
Not in the Penang state assembly.
Permatang Berangan assemblyman Shabudin Yahaya and Sungai Dua assemblyman Datuk Jasmin Mohamed blamed women's provocative dressing for sexual crimes, raising the hackles of Tan Cheng Liang (BN – Jawi).
“The women’s dressing menggoda (lures) and mencabar (challenges) men,” said Shabudin, who interjected during Tan’s speech when debating the motion of thanks on the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abas’s opening address.
This prompted Tan to tick him off for his narrow thinking.
“Even women who are covered from the head to the toe and two-year-old children have become rape victims. This shows that it has nothing to do with women’s dressing,” she said.
Shabudin, who is state Islamic Religious Council president, then asked Tan for her views on a dress code for women and Jasmin rose to support it.
Tan said she disagreed with a dress code, as women knew what to wear.
Shabudin then interjected that men were sure to look when sexily attired women pass in front of them.
“This is because there is a daya tarikan (attraction),” he said.
Jasmin said that women who dressed provocatively also forgot their family responsibilities.
Tan said the issue was not about the women’s dressing but the mindset of men.
In his speech, Mansor Musa (BN – Batu Maung) rapped the two assemblymen for their sexist remarks, saying they were not showing a good example in the House.
Tan also alleged that a Seberang Prai Municipal Council official had been signing the overtime claims of his workers when they did not do any extra work.
Phee Boon Poh (DAP – Sungai Puyu) asked Tan to substantiate her allegations.
However, Speaker Datuk Yahaya Abdul Hami disallowed the question, saying the reply should come from the concerned state executive councillor.
........................................
Penang State Assembly: Lawmakers ‘dress up’ a hot issue
NST online. Local News. 23/05/07
By : Sharanjit Singh
SEVERAL backbenchers got into a debate in the house yesterday over whether or not local women are getting more daring in their dressing.
Shahabudin Yahaya (BN- Permatang Berangan) got the ball rolling when he interrupted fellow backbencher Tan Cheng Liang (BN-Jawi) as she was speaking about the need for politicians to show respect to women.
She was saying they should not make sexist remarks when Shahabudin asked if there was a need to introduce a dress code for women.
"I am asking because women are getting more daring in their dressing and it is challenging for men, even me." Tan said: "I am shocked by this kind of narrow-minded thinking. "We’ve had cases of tudung-clad women and even two-year-olds being raped."
Are you trying to say that they were raped because of the way they dressed?" Sensing that the issue could get out of hand, Jasmin Mohamad (BN-Sungai Dua) said Shahabudin was just asking if the way a woman dressed could lead to bad things happening.
Tan said she did not agree, and cited that one could see many scantily-clad women on European beaches but this did not cause any problems there."
God has given us a mind so we can think and control ourselves. "If you don’t have dirty thoughts, then you won’t think negatively," she said.
Later, state Women and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Jahara Hamid said there were regulations on how one should dress when visiting government departments.
She said action could be taken against those who dressed scantily in public.
.............................................................
No justifying rape
The Star online. News. Opinion. Friday May 25, 2007
RAPE is a crime and that’s that. There is no justifying who is right and wrong.
Does it mean that men have the right to rape women who dress sexily? Criminals nowadays do not only target sexy women but also old women and schoolchildren.
Since a dress code is suggested to avoid luring male sexual instinct, why not suggest that males wear chastity belts to prevent rape?
ANGRY WOMAN,
Sg. Buloh, Selangor.
....................................................
Quit focusing on who’s to blame
The Star online. News. Opinion. Friday May 25, 2007
I REFER to the report “Another sexist remark: Two Penang reps make an issue of women’s dressing” (The Star, May 23).
Though the previous comments made in Parliament were what I consider unfortunate, and a display of gender insensitivity, the current issue is slightly different.
Nevertheless, the remark and the subsequent protest just extend the debate over who’s to blame for sexual crimes.
The typical egocentric-male-chauvinist group argues that rapists are tempted by women’s provocative dressing style.
At the other extreme, your typical woman-rights-activists corner rebuts such claims by pointing out that rape victims are not exclusive to the scantily dressed, and blames men’s mentality and perspective towards the opposite gender.
I have no intention of taking sides in such a debate. I am more concerned about addressing the issue, identifying root causes, improving our social fabric and increasing access to education, instead of focusing on the blame game.
Despite taking a three-credit-hour Intro to Psychology during my university days, and being a father to three beautiful daughters, I am not an authority on this issue. Anyhow, this is my two sen worth on the matter as a concerned father and a citizen of Malaysia.
·Gender debate and the blaming game will not solve the issue, it will simply keep us occupied on the debate instead of combating sex crimes.
·Sex crimes are seldom about gender or sex. It’s about the socially challenged and sick characters seeking ways to feel superior and to feel validated as an autonomic individual.
·Rape and other sexual violations committed on the weak, and children, are motivated mostly by the freak instinct to overpower others through physical and psychological violence, not to seek sexual gratification.
·Overly lewd, indecent, or impolite dressing choices at inappropriate times and places may trigger a psychologically impaired person. It may not be the root cost, but it can trigger a person who already has issues, to act on an unhealthy impulse.
It may not be immediately acted upon, but the aggressor would probably then act on the impulse at the soonest opportunity available. A sick-minded serial rapist or paedophile may be triggered by something he saw in a crowded shopping mall, but act days later at a deserted car park or neighbourhood.
One example is a smoker who is trying to quit by going cold turkey. You can tell everyone not to smoke in front of him, but the mere mention of smoking, or any visual or audio material that reminds him of smoking will trigger that instinct to light up, if not immediately, when no one is looking.
But the trigger is not the cause of this action; it’s the addiction and the nicotine.
·“Improper dressing” is a subjective issue that can be debated forever without resolutions.
·Dress code is at best the less significant of factors in this matter (if not the least), as there are always triggers available in many forms to provide excuses for some people to act upon unnatural motivations, from the real to the imagined. We can force everyone to wear a jilbab but a serial rapist would always be able to fantasise.
·A good place to start with in combating sex crimes is by looking at family institutions, social composites and disparities, education (structured academic and social skills), and psychological health of the general population. Safety and security concerns should not be taken lightly.
·What is certain is that instead of focusing on who is to be blamed – sexy women or unfulfilled low self-esteem men – we should stress more on mutual respect between genders and within our family institutions.
A man who loves his mother, sisters, daughters and wife, and is able to apply the golden rule of do unto others as you would others do unto you is less likely to consider hurting another person.
NASRUL,
Seremban. Negri Sembilan.
...............................................
Women's Dressing: Drastic change of mindset needed
NST online. Letters. 28/05/07
By : PREMA E. DEVARAJ, Women’s Centre for Change, Penang
TWO Penang state assemblymen, Shabudin Yahaya (BN-Permatang Berangan) and Datuk Jasmin Mohamed (BN-Sungai Dua), reportedly blamed women’s provocative dressing for sexual crimes. Apparently women who dress provocatively menggoda (lure) and mencabar (challenge) men.
The Women’s Centre for Change, Penang (WCC) is dismayed that the stereotype of a woman as a seductress inciting, by her provocative dressing, the poor innocent male to commit a heinous sexual crime is so deeply entrenched in the minds of some state assemblymen. The quality of reasoning exhibited by these two elected representatives leaves much to be desired. Men and boys are also victims of sexual crimes. Does this mean that male victims of sexual crimes are to be blamed for wearing provocative trousers? A person’s remarks and behaviour reflect his thinking. If a person chooses to think of a woman as a sexual object, then he will refer to her and treat her as one. Unless and until he chooses to think differently, he will continue to disrespect women in his thoughts, words and actions.
Similarly, the motivation for a sexual crime is rooted in the mind of the perpetrator.
Hence, the blame for the sexual crime is, and should be, with the perpetrator and not the victim. But as long as society continues to blame victims, the perpetrators of sexual crimes will get away with the crime and the victims will not be able to get the help and support they truly need.
It is a fallacy that "provocative" dressing leads to sexual crimes. And yet this fallacy persists, not just in the minds of some men, but also in the minds of some women.
There are many examples of modestly-clad women who have been raped or sexually assaulted. The cold, hard reality is that a woman can be a victim of a sexual assault at any time and at any place, irrespective of her age, dressing, social or cultural background. The sexist remarks are a sad reflection of the mindset among some of our elected representatives. This is unacceptable and must change. We cannot have elected leaders who perpetuate myths and stereotypes which have serious consequences for women and victims of sexual crimes in this country.
PENANG: After the recent “bocor” (leak) controversy in the Dewan Rakyat, one would have thought that backbenchers would know enough to stay clear of sexist remarks.
Not in the Penang state assembly.
Permatang Berangan assemblyman Shabudin Yahaya and Sungai Dua assemblyman Datuk Jasmin Mohamed blamed women's provocative dressing for sexual crimes, raising the hackles of Tan Cheng Liang (BN – Jawi).
“The women’s dressing menggoda (lures) and mencabar (challenges) men,” said Shabudin, who interjected during Tan’s speech when debating the motion of thanks on the Yang di-Pertua Negri Tun Abdul Rahman Abas’s opening address.
This prompted Tan to tick him off for his narrow thinking.
“Even women who are covered from the head to the toe and two-year-old children have become rape victims. This shows that it has nothing to do with women’s dressing,” she said.
Shabudin, who is state Islamic Religious Council president, then asked Tan for her views on a dress code for women and Jasmin rose to support it.
Tan said she disagreed with a dress code, as women knew what to wear.
Shabudin then interjected that men were sure to look when sexily attired women pass in front of them.
“This is because there is a daya tarikan (attraction),” he said.
Jasmin said that women who dressed provocatively also forgot their family responsibilities.
Tan said the issue was not about the women’s dressing but the mindset of men.
In his speech, Mansor Musa (BN – Batu Maung) rapped the two assemblymen for their sexist remarks, saying they were not showing a good example in the House.
Tan also alleged that a Seberang Prai Municipal Council official had been signing the overtime claims of his workers when they did not do any extra work.
Phee Boon Poh (DAP – Sungai Puyu) asked Tan to substantiate her allegations.
However, Speaker Datuk Yahaya Abdul Hami disallowed the question, saying the reply should come from the concerned state executive councillor.
........................................
Penang State Assembly: Lawmakers ‘dress up’ a hot issue
NST online. Local News. 23/05/07
By : Sharanjit Singh
SEVERAL backbenchers got into a debate in the house yesterday over whether or not local women are getting more daring in their dressing.
Shahabudin Yahaya (BN- Permatang Berangan) got the ball rolling when he interrupted fellow backbencher Tan Cheng Liang (BN-Jawi) as she was speaking about the need for politicians to show respect to women.
She was saying they should not make sexist remarks when Shahabudin asked if there was a need to introduce a dress code for women.
"I am asking because women are getting more daring in their dressing and it is challenging for men, even me." Tan said: "I am shocked by this kind of narrow-minded thinking. "We’ve had cases of tudung-clad women and even two-year-olds being raped."
Are you trying to say that they were raped because of the way they dressed?" Sensing that the issue could get out of hand, Jasmin Mohamad (BN-Sungai Dua) said Shahabudin was just asking if the way a woman dressed could lead to bad things happening.
Tan said she did not agree, and cited that one could see many scantily-clad women on European beaches but this did not cause any problems there."
God has given us a mind so we can think and control ourselves. "If you don’t have dirty thoughts, then you won’t think negatively," she said.
Later, state Women and Community Development Committee chairman Datuk Jahara Hamid said there were regulations on how one should dress when visiting government departments.
She said action could be taken against those who dressed scantily in public.
.............................................................
No justifying rape
The Star online. News. Opinion. Friday May 25, 2007
RAPE is a crime and that’s that. There is no justifying who is right and wrong.
Does it mean that men have the right to rape women who dress sexily? Criminals nowadays do not only target sexy women but also old women and schoolchildren.
Since a dress code is suggested to avoid luring male sexual instinct, why not suggest that males wear chastity belts to prevent rape?
ANGRY WOMAN,
Sg. Buloh, Selangor.
....................................................
Quit focusing on who’s to blame
The Star online. News. Opinion. Friday May 25, 2007
I REFER to the report “Another sexist remark: Two Penang reps make an issue of women’s dressing” (The Star, May 23).
Though the previous comments made in Parliament were what I consider unfortunate, and a display of gender insensitivity, the current issue is slightly different.
Nevertheless, the remark and the subsequent protest just extend the debate over who’s to blame for sexual crimes.
The typical egocentric-male-chauvinist group argues that rapists are tempted by women’s provocative dressing style.
At the other extreme, your typical woman-rights-activists corner rebuts such claims by pointing out that rape victims are not exclusive to the scantily dressed, and blames men’s mentality and perspective towards the opposite gender.
I have no intention of taking sides in such a debate. I am more concerned about addressing the issue, identifying root causes, improving our social fabric and increasing access to education, instead of focusing on the blame game.
Despite taking a three-credit-hour Intro to Psychology during my university days, and being a father to three beautiful daughters, I am not an authority on this issue. Anyhow, this is my two sen worth on the matter as a concerned father and a citizen of Malaysia.
·Gender debate and the blaming game will not solve the issue, it will simply keep us occupied on the debate instead of combating sex crimes.
·Sex crimes are seldom about gender or sex. It’s about the socially challenged and sick characters seeking ways to feel superior and to feel validated as an autonomic individual.
·Rape and other sexual violations committed on the weak, and children, are motivated mostly by the freak instinct to overpower others through physical and psychological violence, not to seek sexual gratification.
·Overly lewd, indecent, or impolite dressing choices at inappropriate times and places may trigger a psychologically impaired person. It may not be the root cost, but it can trigger a person who already has issues, to act on an unhealthy impulse.
It may not be immediately acted upon, but the aggressor would probably then act on the impulse at the soonest opportunity available. A sick-minded serial rapist or paedophile may be triggered by something he saw in a crowded shopping mall, but act days later at a deserted car park or neighbourhood.
One example is a smoker who is trying to quit by going cold turkey. You can tell everyone not to smoke in front of him, but the mere mention of smoking, or any visual or audio material that reminds him of smoking will trigger that instinct to light up, if not immediately, when no one is looking.
But the trigger is not the cause of this action; it’s the addiction and the nicotine.
·“Improper dressing” is a subjective issue that can be debated forever without resolutions.
·Dress code is at best the less significant of factors in this matter (if not the least), as there are always triggers available in many forms to provide excuses for some people to act upon unnatural motivations, from the real to the imagined. We can force everyone to wear a jilbab but a serial rapist would always be able to fantasise.
·A good place to start with in combating sex crimes is by looking at family institutions, social composites and disparities, education (structured academic and social skills), and psychological health of the general population. Safety and security concerns should not be taken lightly.
·What is certain is that instead of focusing on who is to be blamed – sexy women or unfulfilled low self-esteem men – we should stress more on mutual respect between genders and within our family institutions.
A man who loves his mother, sisters, daughters and wife, and is able to apply the golden rule of do unto others as you would others do unto you is less likely to consider hurting another person.
NASRUL,
Seremban. Negri Sembilan.
...............................................
Women's Dressing: Drastic change of mindset needed
NST online. Letters. 28/05/07
By : PREMA E. DEVARAJ, Women’s Centre for Change, Penang
TWO Penang state assemblymen, Shabudin Yahaya (BN-Permatang Berangan) and Datuk Jasmin Mohamed (BN-Sungai Dua), reportedly blamed women’s provocative dressing for sexual crimes. Apparently women who dress provocatively menggoda (lure) and mencabar (challenge) men.
The Women’s Centre for Change, Penang (WCC) is dismayed that the stereotype of a woman as a seductress inciting, by her provocative dressing, the poor innocent male to commit a heinous sexual crime is so deeply entrenched in the minds of some state assemblymen. The quality of reasoning exhibited by these two elected representatives leaves much to be desired. Men and boys are also victims of sexual crimes. Does this mean that male victims of sexual crimes are to be blamed for wearing provocative trousers? A person’s remarks and behaviour reflect his thinking. If a person chooses to think of a woman as a sexual object, then he will refer to her and treat her as one. Unless and until he chooses to think differently, he will continue to disrespect women in his thoughts, words and actions.
Similarly, the motivation for a sexual crime is rooted in the mind of the perpetrator.
Hence, the blame for the sexual crime is, and should be, with the perpetrator and not the victim. But as long as society continues to blame victims, the perpetrators of sexual crimes will get away with the crime and the victims will not be able to get the help and support they truly need.
It is a fallacy that "provocative" dressing leads to sexual crimes. And yet this fallacy persists, not just in the minds of some men, but also in the minds of some women.
There are many examples of modestly-clad women who have been raped or sexually assaulted. The cold, hard reality is that a woman can be a victim of a sexual assault at any time and at any place, irrespective of her age, dressing, social or cultural background. The sexist remarks are a sad reflection of the mindset among some of our elected representatives. This is unacceptable and must change. We cannot have elected leaders who perpetuate myths and stereotypes which have serious consequences for women and victims of sexual crimes in this country.
2007 05: Schoolboy held over molest of six-year-old
The Star online. News. Nation. Tuesday May 22, 2007
PENANG: A schoolboy, 14, was arrested for allegedly molesting a six-year-old girl, whom his mother was babysitting, at a house in Sungai Dua here.
The Form Two schoolboy allegedly molested the kindergartener on several occasions when alone at home with her.
The victim’s parents found out when their daughter complained of pain in her private parts.
A report was lodged by the victim’s mother at the Sungai Nibong police station on Sunday. The girl was later sent to the Penang Hospital for a check-up.
The boy was then picked up from his house a few hours later. He was released to his parents on police bail after a statement was taken.
A source from the Sungai Nibong police station confirmed that a schoolboy had been arrested.
.........................................
Put a stop to crimes against kids
The Star online. News. Opinion. Wednesday May 23, 2007
I REFER to “Schoolboy held over molest of six-year-old” (The Star, May 22). My heart goes out to the six-year-old who has gone through the trauma of being violated by a child of someone whom her parents trust.
I also ask myself this question, why would a 14-year-old be capable of commiting such an atrocity against a child who is younger, weaker and more helpless than himself?
I am sure that he is neither the first nor will he be the last teenager below the age of 18 to commit such a horrific act against a child.
In addition, I believe that he is not just a danger to the six-year-old victim but also a danger to other children within his surroundings and society.
A person like him should be locked away for a long time followed by rehabilitation and intensive psychological and psychiatric therapy. What he did against a child was not only unacceptable but considered abnormal and dangerous.
It is time we stop pointing fingers at each other for creating monsters like him. Isn’t it about time that we worked together as a community to combat the growing number of sexual crimes against children in Malaysia by such criminals like this 14-year-old offender and other adult paedophiles?
We need to understand the fact that minor sex offenders and paedophiles are not the stereotypical indecent person in a trenchcoat like many people would think. These kinds of sex offenders usually come from all walks of life regardless of their socio-economic status and family background.
S. YIN,
Auckland, New Zealand.
PENANG: A schoolboy, 14, was arrested for allegedly molesting a six-year-old girl, whom his mother was babysitting, at a house in Sungai Dua here.
The Form Two schoolboy allegedly molested the kindergartener on several occasions when alone at home with her.
The victim’s parents found out when their daughter complained of pain in her private parts.
A report was lodged by the victim’s mother at the Sungai Nibong police station on Sunday. The girl was later sent to the Penang Hospital for a check-up.
The boy was then picked up from his house a few hours later. He was released to his parents on police bail after a statement was taken.
A source from the Sungai Nibong police station confirmed that a schoolboy had been arrested.
.........................................
Put a stop to crimes against kids
The Star online. News. Opinion. Wednesday May 23, 2007
I REFER to “Schoolboy held over molest of six-year-old” (The Star, May 22). My heart goes out to the six-year-old who has gone through the trauma of being violated by a child of someone whom her parents trust.
I also ask myself this question, why would a 14-year-old be capable of commiting such an atrocity against a child who is younger, weaker and more helpless than himself?
I am sure that he is neither the first nor will he be the last teenager below the age of 18 to commit such a horrific act against a child.
In addition, I believe that he is not just a danger to the six-year-old victim but also a danger to other children within his surroundings and society.
A person like him should be locked away for a long time followed by rehabilitation and intensive psychological and psychiatric therapy. What he did against a child was not only unacceptable but considered abnormal and dangerous.
It is time we stop pointing fingers at each other for creating monsters like him. Isn’t it about time that we worked together as a community to combat the growing number of sexual crimes against children in Malaysia by such criminals like this 14-year-old offender and other adult paedophiles?
We need to understand the fact that minor sex offenders and paedophiles are not the stereotypical indecent person in a trenchcoat like many people would think. These kinds of sex offenders usually come from all walks of life regardless of their socio-economic status and family background.
S. YIN,
Auckland, New Zealand.
Tuesday, 22 May 2007
2007 05: Bomoh wins molest appeal
NST online. Local News. 19/05/07
IPOH: A 69-year-old bomoh walked out of the High Court a free man yesterday after winning his appeal against conviction, on a charge of molesting a young girl in 1997.
Judicial commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim quashed Abu Bedor Jamin’s conviction and set aside his 14-month jail sentence meted out by a magistrate’s court five years ago. The appellant was represented by Charan Singh.
The Parit magistrate’s court in May 2002 had found Abu Bedor guilty of molesting a young girl at his house in Kampung Bekong, Lambor Kiri in Bota on July 6, 1997.
The victim was then 18 years old. At the High Court yesterday, Ridwan said the charge of outraging the modesty of the girl brought against the appellant was doubtful.
"The prosecution’s case had various gaps such as failure to produce two material witnesses during the hearing. The chain of evidence was broken, which weakened the case against the appellant," he said, referring to the prosecution’s decision not to call the victim’s boyfriend and the investigating officer to take the stand.
Ridwan said the victim’s claims were also not corroborated by other witnesses and the girl had contradicted herself in her testimony.
IPOH: A 69-year-old bomoh walked out of the High Court a free man yesterday after winning his appeal against conviction, on a charge of molesting a young girl in 1997.
Judicial commissioner Ridwan Ibrahim quashed Abu Bedor Jamin’s conviction and set aside his 14-month jail sentence meted out by a magistrate’s court five years ago. The appellant was represented by Charan Singh.
The Parit magistrate’s court in May 2002 had found Abu Bedor guilty of molesting a young girl at his house in Kampung Bekong, Lambor Kiri in Bota on July 6, 1997.
The victim was then 18 years old. At the High Court yesterday, Ridwan said the charge of outraging the modesty of the girl brought against the appellant was doubtful.
"The prosecution’s case had various gaps such as failure to produce two material witnesses during the hearing. The chain of evidence was broken, which weakened the case against the appellant," he said, referring to the prosecution’s decision not to call the victim’s boyfriend and the investigating officer to take the stand.
Ridwan said the victim’s claims were also not corroborated by other witnesses and the girl had contradicted herself in her testimony.
Friday, 18 May 2007
2007 05: Man accused of indecent act
The Star online. News. Courts. Friday May 18, 2007
ALOR STAR: A site supervisor was charged in the Sessions Court here with committing an act of gross indecency on his stepdaughter over a period of six months since November last year.
The man, 51, pleaded not guilty to committing the alleged offence at the family home in Jitra last November. The girl was 11 years old then.
He also allegedly took photographs of the girl in her bedroom and caressed her.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Murtazadi Amran said the prosecution was not offering any bail because the victim was living with him.
The accused, when appealing for bail, said he had another house where he could stay.
Judge Norsyaridah Awang denied bail on the ground that the man faced five charges involving the same victim. She fixed June 25 for hearing.
ALOR STAR: A site supervisor was charged in the Sessions Court here with committing an act of gross indecency on his stepdaughter over a period of six months since November last year.
The man, 51, pleaded not guilty to committing the alleged offence at the family home in Jitra last November. The girl was 11 years old then.
He also allegedly took photographs of the girl in her bedroom and caressed her.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Murtazadi Amran said the prosecution was not offering any bail because the victim was living with him.
The accused, when appealing for bail, said he had another house where he could stay.
Judge Norsyaridah Awang denied bail on the ground that the man faced five charges involving the same victim. She fixed June 25 for hearing.
Monday, 14 May 2007
2007 05: Baby abandoned outside tuition centre
The Star online. News. Nation. Saturday May 12, 2007
ALOR STAR: A teacher was shocked to find a baby boy abandoned outside her tuition centre at Taman Tunku Hosna in Jalan Bendahara here.
Annalia Mohd Nasir said she received a call in her cell phone yesterday about the baby at 3.27pm.
“The caller mumbled something about a baby. I thought it was a prank call. But when I opened the front door of the tuition centre 13 minutes later for the 4pm class, I saw the baby lying on the floor outside the front gate,” she said here yesterday.
The baby was dressed in orange and weighed about 3kg .
“A napkin was placed beside the baby. There was also a bag containing a milk bottle, pampers, and a pacifier,” said Annalia, who is her 30s.
She said the caller knew that the tuition centre would be open today.
“He even knew my handphone number,” added Annalia, who runs the tuition centre with her husband Muhammad Irfan Yahaya.
The couple married four years ago and they do not have any children yet.
The baby was taken to the Alor Star Hospital for a medical check-up.“
.............................................
In a separate incident, a 34-year-old teacher was caught kissing his 16-year-old female student in a car at Guar Arang quarry in Changlung on Wednesday.
Kubang Pasu OCPD Mohd Karim Abu said they would be charged in the syariah court soon.
“Following a tip-off, we accompanied a team of religious enforcement personnel and found the teacher and the student smooching inside a car at 4.50pm.
“We have handed over the couple to the religious authorities for further action,” he said, adding that they had been released on bail by the religious department.
Supt Karim said the teacher was married with four children.
ALOR STAR: A teacher was shocked to find a baby boy abandoned outside her tuition centre at Taman Tunku Hosna in Jalan Bendahara here.
Annalia Mohd Nasir said she received a call in her cell phone yesterday about the baby at 3.27pm.
“The caller mumbled something about a baby. I thought it was a prank call. But when I opened the front door of the tuition centre 13 minutes later for the 4pm class, I saw the baby lying on the floor outside the front gate,” she said here yesterday.
The baby was dressed in orange and weighed about 3kg .
“A napkin was placed beside the baby. There was also a bag containing a milk bottle, pampers, and a pacifier,” said Annalia, who is her 30s.
She said the caller knew that the tuition centre would be open today.
“He even knew my handphone number,” added Annalia, who runs the tuition centre with her husband Muhammad Irfan Yahaya.
The couple married four years ago and they do not have any children yet.
The baby was taken to the Alor Star Hospital for a medical check-up.“
.............................................
In a separate incident, a 34-year-old teacher was caught kissing his 16-year-old female student in a car at Guar Arang quarry in Changlung on Wednesday.
Kubang Pasu OCPD Mohd Karim Abu said they would be charged in the syariah court soon.
“Following a tip-off, we accompanied a team of religious enforcement personnel and found the teacher and the student smooching inside a car at 4.50pm.
“We have handed over the couple to the religious authorities for further action,” he said, adding that they had been released on bail by the religious department.
Supt Karim said the teacher was married with four children.
Thursday, 3 May 2007
2007 04: Counsellor molested me, alleges student
The Star online. News. Nation. Sunday April 29, 2007
IPOH: A 46-year-old counsellor was remanded after allegedly molesting a Form Three student in her school.
Perak Tengah OCPD Supt Salehudin Abdul Rahman said that the man had molested the girl during a counselling session in school on April 25. She subsequently lodged a police report.
It is believed that the girl had asked for advice from the married man, who also teaches at the school in Kampung Gajah, some 55km from here.
Supt Salehudin said that the man was arrested on April 27 and would be remanded until Monday to assist in investigations.
IPOH: A 46-year-old counsellor was remanded after allegedly molesting a Form Three student in her school.
Perak Tengah OCPD Supt Salehudin Abdul Rahman said that the man had molested the girl during a counselling session in school on April 25. She subsequently lodged a police report.
It is believed that the girl had asked for advice from the married man, who also teaches at the school in Kampung Gajah, some 55km from here.
Supt Salehudin said that the man was arrested on April 27 and would be remanded until Monday to assist in investigations.
Monday, 30 April 2007
2007 04: Beware the sexual harassers
The Star online. News. Opinion. Wednesday April 4, 2007
RESEARCH has shown that sexual harassment is a major problem faced by not only women but also men.
However, based on what I know on the issue of sexual harassment, there is little if not no attention being paid to it.
The issue that is waiting to be raised is not sexual harassment in the work place as there have been many initiatives by the government and organisations to handle sexual harassment but the issue of sexual harassment in schools and institutions of higher learning.
In a nutshell, sexual harassment is an act which can be physical, visual or verbal and that can cause emotional trauma and distress.
What happens if an eight-year-old child (male or female) is sexually harassed?
He or she may not know what has happened. Most of these cases go unnoticed or only get noticed when sexual harassment turns to molest or rape.
But how many children actually have the courage to report a teacher or a fellow student? Do they know that they have rights if they are harassed?
The issue of sexual harassment is not any where near the issue of sex education.
I feel that the Education and Higher Education Ministry should start taking steps to create awareness on sexual harassment in schools and institutions of higher learning. Creating awareness is the best way of stemming sexual harassment in schools and institutions of higher learning.
In organisations or the public sector, there are guidelines that are in place to handle sexual harassment. Disciplinary action can be taken, then again, it all depends on the organisation.
Criminal charges can be filed but it is almost impossible to prove the harasser wrong beyond reasonable doubt.
The only way is via education and awareness programmes. Please do not forget we have children in schools and institutions of higher learning and they may be victims of sexual harassment or they can be harassers.
V. MANO,
Kajang
RESEARCH has shown that sexual harassment is a major problem faced by not only women but also men.
However, based on what I know on the issue of sexual harassment, there is little if not no attention being paid to it.
The issue that is waiting to be raised is not sexual harassment in the work place as there have been many initiatives by the government and organisations to handle sexual harassment but the issue of sexual harassment in schools and institutions of higher learning.
In a nutshell, sexual harassment is an act which can be physical, visual or verbal and that can cause emotional trauma and distress.
What happens if an eight-year-old child (male or female) is sexually harassed?
He or she may not know what has happened. Most of these cases go unnoticed or only get noticed when sexual harassment turns to molest or rape.
But how many children actually have the courage to report a teacher or a fellow student? Do they know that they have rights if they are harassed?
The issue of sexual harassment is not any where near the issue of sex education.
I feel that the Education and Higher Education Ministry should start taking steps to create awareness on sexual harassment in schools and institutions of higher learning. Creating awareness is the best way of stemming sexual harassment in schools and institutions of higher learning.
In organisations or the public sector, there are guidelines that are in place to handle sexual harassment. Disciplinary action can be taken, then again, it all depends on the organisation.
Criminal charges can be filed but it is almost impossible to prove the harasser wrong beyond reasonable doubt.
The only way is via education and awareness programmes. Please do not forget we have children in schools and institutions of higher learning and they may be victims of sexual harassment or they can be harassers.
V. MANO,
Kajang
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