IMU student who promoted rape culture following actress’ death formally apologizes, retracts comments

Following the swift, intense, and unmitigated public condemnation for his comments made after the death of a local actress, International Medical University (IMU) student Kiren Raj made a public statement today formally apologizing for his words.

Reading out a letter at Wisma MCA in the Petaling Jaya neighborhood of Kuala Lumpur, Kiren asked that his comments be retracted, and that he was sorry not just to the upset public, but also that he was sorry to Emily Kong’s family, who were grieving her untimely passing.

“The comments I posted were not directed at any individual and meant no harm.

“The comments were my imagination in nature. Upon realizing, I removed my comments as soon as possible. I would also like to formally retract my comments.

“I am deeply remorseful that my comments offended many netizens. I would never do anything like this again,” he said at today’s press conference.

Elaborating that he did not intend for his comments to mean any harm, he posited that he never meant to “be derogatory to women,” adding “women have contributed a lot to society.”

Wow. Very big of him.

“Sometimes we say things that are not appropriate, and we should be responsible, and apologize. We should learn to re-evaluate ourselves and better ourselves,” concluded the final year medical student.

Since the incident last weekend, he as entered voluntary therapy.

While he has not been contacted by police, a formal police report was made after his already offensive comments descended into referring to the genitalia of Chinese men as small, and speaking of a “plan” to push Chinese out of the country.

His initial comment on the death of Ms. Kong had read:

[THREAD]
To those who post MEN ARE TRASH, this particular post makes me agree with you.
This guys doesn’t represent all men!
Kiren Raj, JPA Scholar, IMUian, Medical Student.
His remark on Emily Kong (RIP)’s passing. pic.twitter.com/7E8Oe59fW8

— shree (@shree_kalidass) March 10, 2019

“I hope all the girls learn a good lesson now … Never leave the pub without a guy… Man and woman work together… We offer you a safe drive home and you give us makeout or sex… I mean girls like sex too right… This is what happens when women think they can do everything on their own and be independent… Every woman need men.”

Netizens not only condemned the content of his message, but also launched an online petition calling him a danger to society, gathering nearly 80,000 signatures over seven days.

Kiren has been put on home leave for two weeks while his university conducts a disciplinary hearing.