On October 21st, after actor Fauzi Nawawi made rape jokes on national TV, Malaysian diver Pandelela Rinong took to Twitter, her experience of being sexually harassed by a coach.
Dulu saya ada seorang coach ni suka buat lawak lucah, saya buat diam je tak pun fake laugh sebab takut dia. Pernah sekali tak tahan saya tegur dia, tapi kena buli balik. 7 tahun kemudian dia buat kes rogol. #rapejokeisnotfunny
— Pandelela Rinong (@Pandelela_R) October 21, 2021
Following her explanation, Youth and Sports Minister Ahmad Faizal Azumu questioned her reason behind bringing up the issue at present time. Based on reports, his exact words were "I am trying to understand why after a long time, Lela (Pandelela) wants to put this out in the social media."
"I've started making personal calls as the minister and I have also met with several athletes regarding this issue so I don't think it is appropriate for me to publicise the matter at the moment," he added.
His statement was of course criticized by many, including opposition ministers, senators and the general public.
If only our Ministers and Deputy Ministers listened to the women of Malaysia rather than gaslight them. Now is the time to listen, not ask questions whose answers are obvious @PejaOfPerak @Pandelela_R pic.twitter.com/uosOHxMgp5
— Nik Nazmi (@niknazmi) October 25, 2021
Pandelela was harassed, bullied, yet still managed to climb to the top of the world.
— Firdaus Azil (@FirdausAzil) October 22, 2021
Wonder how many potential female athletes got demotivated, lost halfway through, due to the pressure by this kind of sick behaviour.
Kelakuan begini umpama barah, dan sistemic, yet protected.
— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) October 25, 2021
Providing further explanation, Pandelela then decided yesterday (25th Oct), to make her reasons be known.
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
Shortly after, today (26th Oct), Azumu stated that his initial words weren't intended to question her motives, he was merely trying to get to the bottom of a very serious problem, and that he is fully in support of Pandelela.
Saya tidak langsung mempersoalkn apa yg diadukn oleh @Pandelela_R apa yg saya katakn adalh utk mngetahui lebih lanjut apa yg berlaku.This is a very serious matter, we must ensure a safe environment for our athletes at all levels. Lela I’m with you. https://t.co/oQINDScFg4
— Faizal Azumu (@PejaOfPerak) October 26, 2021
