One of Malaysia’s most infamous ministers is now back with another controversy! At this point, she is more well known for her imprudent take on things than her policies which are almost nonexistent.
Yes, we are talking about the ‘Doraemon’ Rina Harun, Minister for Women, Family, and Community Development, who has caught flak for promoting hate and violence towards women in a short promotion clip featuring a local actor.
In the 40-second TikTok clip on her own account, local actor Rosyam Nor was heard saying that women are always tardy and should get up when there’s work to do, in this case, referring to the ministerial event.
He was saying something along the lines of: “Women are always late to everything! Come on and wake up from your sleep. Tomorrow at the World Trade Centre I will have an appointment with Minister Rina Harun… Come and meet me so I can beat you up.”
Rina was standing right beside him while he was saying these things and just smiled without looking concerned or correcting him.
Instead, before he walks out of the room she tells him that behind a successful woman, there is a man next to her – to which he adds and alludes, seemingly as a joke, that when a woman needs to be comforted, she will need to depend on a man.
@dsrinaharun Wanita selalu lambat? Jom sertai Program Keusahawanan Wanita Bangkit @ KPWKM yang akan diadakan di World Trade Centre bermula pukul 9 pagi esok. @Rosyam Nor #RinaHarun #ToWorkToEngage #KPWKMPrihatin #fyp #fypシ ♬ original sound – Rina Harun
Hannah Yeoh, former deputy minister of Rina’s current ministry called for her removal and said that this was not the first time Rina resorted to cheap publicity that embarrassed the ministry.
“Even worse, Rina and officers of Yayasan Kebajikan Negara just stood by and smiled as insults were levelled at women,” she said referring to the video
Other politicians, activists, and social media users also slammed the minister and actor for their sexist humour which they say promotes and normalises male violence against women.
“Waking up late? Women are late? Bash heads in? What is this??? And all while the minister is right there giggling???”
