PARTI Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) has urged the authorities to investigate the vicious attacks directed against environmental activist Shakila Zen with utmost care and ensure that those responsible for the threats are held accountable.
Shakila is an environmental activist who fights for nature conservation, especially forest reserves and coastal reclamation.
“We are very concerned about Shakila Zen’s safety and we see the attacks, threats, intimidation and policing of women human rights defenders as alarming,” remarked Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) gender bureau chief Chong Yee Shan in a statement.
“The intimidation against Shakila Zen and others who are related to the #Lawan rally must end immediately.”
On Aug 30, Shakila received a package from an anonymous sender that contained a letter that threatened her with an acid attack and containing a replica of a bloody severed hand.
In addition, the threats have been received via text messages with violence and untoward sexual elements. Her personal details were also exposed without her consent.
Shakila believes that the series of menacing events began because of a viral video on TikTok showing the #Lawan rally that took place on July 31.
She had since made two police reports on these incidents at the Klang Utara Police District headquarters on Aug 30 and 31.
“Attacks against Shakila Zen are a part of the larger issue of gender-based violence. It is our collective responsibility to condemn, address and take appropriate action to end this,” Chong added.
“Women human rights defenders and activists must be protected, and we need a comprehensive protection and reporting mechanism to improve the situation of women human rights defenders and activists in Malaysia.
“We stand in solidarity with Shakila Zen and all women human rights defenders and activists. No one should be targeted as a direct consequence of their gender and activism. – Sept 3, 2021.
