RAPE cases jump: Don't blame the women & don't try to "SAVE FACE" - MCA tells Nik

Aziz
Due to the startlingly high number of rape cases involving young women and students in Kelantan, I strongly urge the PAS seriously evaluate and re-consider its policies towards women. According to Bernama (15 July 2012), Kelantan police chief Datuk Jalaluddin Abdul Rahman is worried about cases of rape and incest in the family that go unreported, in order to save face from relatives. The number of rape cases tallied in Kelantan is the highest in Malaysia. Over the years, many female victims of sexual abuse have been forced to remain silent about the unimaginable pain they experienced. It is time that PAS-led government in Kelantan to listen to cries of the women and give them the justice that they deserve. Statistics show growth in sexual assault against women and children in Kelantan Statistics prove a growing trend of sexual violence against women in Kelantan. Last year, Utusan Malaysia (9 Sept2011) reported state deputy police chief SAC Dato Mazlan Lazim citing statistics whereby the number of rape crises increased from 13% to 18% last year and that most victims comprised of children as young as 12-years-old. Bernama (9 March 2012) reported that rape cases tallied have been climbing every year. In 2007, 228 cases were filed, 563 in 2008, and 656 in 2010. PAS should not pin blame on female rape victims The said YouTube video circulating of PAS spiritual advisor Dato Seri Nik Aziz perpetuate the grotesquely false belief that women who are raped deserve it. The Kelantan Menteri Besar touted that perempuan tidak tutup aurat padan muka kena rogol (women who do not cover their aurat when raped, serves them right) PAS needs to take full responsibility for the misogynistic messages that has been spread by these YouTube videos, as they wrongly justify the sexual abuse of women. Very likely, the YouTube video of Nik Aziz has only fueled the mistreatment of women in Kelantan by instilling fear in women, thinking it is their fault they have been unjustly abused by rapists and other deviant criminals. As we approach Ramadan, this begs the question of whether the number of rape cases will only get higher, as the statistics have consistently grown every year. PAS needs to seriously take into

account the facts presented and act accordingly. The livelihood and wellbeing of the women and their families in Kelantan depend on it. Tee Hooi Ling is the Wanita MCA Young Women Bureau (Beliawanis) National chief