"I didn't know it was illegal."

A blind masseur was charged in court today for incest, after raping his daughter (one of eight children) repeatedly over a course of five years, resulting in her current pregnancy.

When asked by the court, he said he was unaware it was against the law. The judge then retorted: "Which state law allows such behaviour?"

This is the Malaysian system at work.

I have always believed that sexual assault takes the cake as the most heinous crime of the twenty first century (closely followed by physical abuse). Knowing several rape victims myself, I have been privy to the Malaysian state of thought on issues such as these.

In most modern countries, those in power condemn the very act of rape, saying that the public needs to be better educated on the atrocities of sexual assault. The victims are consoled, given therapy, and helped to get them back on their feet. Rightly so; There is nothing quite as emotionally scarring as having your dignity snatched from you.

That is not the case here. In Malaysia, rape victims are more likely to be accosted, saying they 'provoked' attacks, by dressing or acting provocatively. Almost as if it was their fault that the perpetrator couldn't help himself.

... eh hello. It is a woman's prerogative to dress & act in whatever manner she sees fit, no? How is it their fault when a man can't keep it in his pants?

Worse still, rape victims are shunned by family & society in general, deeming them 'dirty.' This is the worst phase; coupled with the brainwashing into making them think it was their fault, they then lose all support from the people they're closest to.

The very act of violating a woman is atrocious. In this country, the ramifications are even more horrendous than the violation itself. Can we let society continue like this?

I most certainly will not.
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And it was all yellow...

The Bersih2 rallies are just round the corner. Latest updates tell me that steering committee chairman Datuk S. Ambiga has decided to hold the event in Stadium Merdeka, as a show of respect toward Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, Duli Yang Maha Mulia Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin.

... fitting that it be held in Stadium Merdeka, no?

Anyhow. After cracking up in front of the television yesterday, watching a Buletin Utama segment on how PDRM found stacks of Bersih2 tee-shirts alongside (brand new) parangs & (plastic!) Molotov cocktails, I've decided NOT to attend the Bersih rally for my own safety.

Not that I won't be there in spirit, of course. And in a show of support, I'll be wearing yellow every day until July 9th.




I find it hilarious how the Royal Malaysian Police Force has chosen to arrest anyone & everyone wearing a Bersih 2.0 tee under the Emergency Ordinance act. A case in Selangor has amounted to a victim posting RM4,000 bail.

For wearing a shirt.

Worse still, there are roadblocks everywhere around town, to nab Bersih supporters during their commutes. I quote a Minister who said the Bersih 2.0 rally would be a "nuisance" and a "general inconvenience to the public." Yet, those roadblocks, which are causing jams tens of kilometres long, somehow don't inconvenience the general public? HMM, I hear you say. HMM indeed.

Although the objective of Bersih is to rally support for free, fair & clean elections, I honestly believe that they've also managed to make the Government look more fallible. Politicians, pseudo or otherwise, have been toppled from their high perches, revealing their true colours.

And I'm sure I'm not the only one watching BN writhe & squirm as they watch their final vestige of hope, the Electoral Commission, be put under the microscope.

I'm looking forward to the next GE. Aren't you?



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