A Shell gas station model has become the unlikely object of affection for men across the country, who have taken to posing with her cut-out at Shell garages across the country.
Nor Shalifa Khairusalleh has had her image hugged (OK?), kissed (weird), and even had her breasts grabbed (gross, please stop).
She’s not too uptight about it, saying that cheeky gestures like hugging or kissing her posters, are OK with her, but that lines are being crossed, like getting groped.
“They may just be joking, but I feel ashamed because that is still myself although it is just an image,” she added, referring to the advertisements.
While she’s not planning to take legal action, the image of a modestly-dressed woman being attacked by men that otherwise should know better speaks to a lot that is happening. Earlier this year, a 12-year-old girl was banned from a chess tournament for dressing provocatively. She was wearing a children’s dress that passed her knees.
Muslim women across the country have been under increased pressure to dress modestly, with the tudung becoming de rigeur in the public sector in Kelantan.
Two years ago, a sermon given by Ridhuan Tee Abdullah told listeners that women’s bodies invited rape. Oh, and then there was the guy that said it’s OK to rape, as long as your rapist then marries you.
Malaysia, where is the respect for our mothers and daughters? When a woman, her body and even her likeness are all fair-game, then when will it stop.
For now, just … leave this cut-out alone.
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