Urgent Need to Address Violence Against Women After Shooting in KLIA 1 Terminal

Media Statement – For Immediate Publication

Kuala Lumpur, 16 APRIL 2024

Urgent Need to Address Violence Against Women After Shooting in KLIA 1 Terminal

Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO) expresses deep concern for the shooting incident that took place in the early hours of April 14, 2024 and extends its solidarity to the survivor and all those impacted by this distressing event.

The attack, allegedly orchestrated by the estranged husband of the survivor, serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address violence against women in our society, and how it can lead to murder.

While we commend the authorities for their swift response in apprehending the alleged suspect, Hafizul Harawi, it is crucial to acknowledge that this incident did not occur in isolation. The survivor had previously lodged two police reports against her husband, highlighting the escalating nature of the threat she faced.

We need a comprehensive, survivor centric approach to addressing violence against women. The lived realities of women including reports made must be taken seriously and must include an approach to addressing the issue, encompassing preventive measures, enhanced victim support services, and robust legal enforcement. Violence against women is not only a violation of individual rights but also a significant impediment to achieving gender equality and social justice.

At WAO, we reaffirm our commitment to advocating for the rights and well-being of survivors and combating all forms of violence against women in Malaysia. Violence against women and gender-based violence are grave violations of human rights and are barriers to achieving gender equality. WAO calls for urgent action to prevent and respond to such violence, including robust legal measures and comprehensive support services for survivors.

During the period from 2019 to October 2023, the Home Ministry shared concerning statistics regarding murder cases involving married couples, revealing a total of 22 such cases. 

We urge the following:

• Nationwide campaigns, legal reforms and enhanced survivor support mechanisms to prevent violence against women must remain a top priority, aimed at addressing the root causes of violence against women.
• Survivor-centric services, including counseling, legal assistance, and shelter provisions, must be made available to survivors to ensure their safety and well-being.

WAO looks forward to working closely with the National Domestic Violence Committee, hand in hand with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development along with relevant stakeholders, including government agencies, law enforcement, civil society organizations, and the broader community – towards creating a society where every woman can live free from violence and fear.

For further advice, you can contact the WAO Hotline at 03 3000 8858 or SMS/WhatsApp TINA at +6018 988 8058, or reach out to Talian Kasih 15999 for support. If you experience any form of violence and are fearful for your safety, reach out to the police at 999 or make a report at a police station.