Dealing with issues and gauging the effectiveness of politicians; not sensationalised and sexualised politics

by Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG)
16 February 2009

The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) is appalled that private, sexually intimate photos of Elizabeth Wong, Assemblyperson for Bukit Lanjan, Selangor, was taken and circulated without her consent.

JAG is very concerned to note that politics is being practised in an increasingly violent, sensationalised and sexualised manner. We note that in recent months, we have seen the sex tape scandal of Chua Soi Lek, Molotov cocktails being thrown at the house of Teresa Kok and now these photos of Elizabeth Wong being circulated.

These photos are being released at a time when the tussle for power between Barisan National (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) is increasingly intense. Under no circumstance should anyone sink to this low level of politicking.

JAG cannot help but note that Ms Wong is also victimised as a single woman, as highlighted in the media. Such tactics meant to deliberately cast moral aspersions and indirectly question her ability to carry out her duties as a politician and as a leader deserve no less than our utmost condemnation.

JAG demands that the police forthwith investigates the matter, and bring the culprit or culprits to court. We also hope to hear strong statements from both the BN and PR condemning the circulation of sexually intimate photos and videos as a means of practising politics. This underhanded tactic must not be part of the political culture of this nation.

Maria Chin Abdullah
Executive Director
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
No. 13, Lorong 4/48E
Seksyen 4, 46050 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Tel: 03 7748 4977
Fax: 03 7748 4978
Email: empower05@gmail.com
Website: www.empowermalaysia.org

For and on behalf of the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality:
All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower)
Sisters In Islam (SIS)
Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
Women’s Centre for Change, Penang (WCC)