Penang DAP's Wanita wing has strongly condemned sexual threats made against G25 president Noor Farida Ariffin over her remarks related to khalwat (close proximity).

State DAP Wanita assistant publicity secretary Syerleena Abdul Rashid said rape and other acts of violence are "no laughing matter", especially given the unsettling number of related cases women face offline.

"Jokes and threats that are expressed online are equally, if not more, disturbing because they normalise negative attitudes and hostility towards women," said Syerleena, who is Penang Island City Councillor.

Pulau Tikus assemblywoman Yap Soo Huey wants the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission to act against the sexual assault threats.

"The secrecy of the Internet makes cyber bullying easier for people. However, Malaysia has adequate laws to protect its citizens," Yap said after attending the state's Penang Goes Orange 2015 campaign on violence against women at Komtar.

Sections 503 and 507 of the Penal Code deal with postings and threats made on social media and anonymous SMSes, Yap ( photo ) said.

Section 506 highlights the offences of criminal intimidation made through Facebook. Those convicted can be fined or jailed for a year, and this may be extended to two years, or both.

Yap noted that Section 211 of the MCMC Act of 1998 also deals with contents that are "indecent, obscene, false, menacing or offensive in character with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any person".

She called on Communications and Multimedia Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek to speak up against such intimidating statements made online.

Intimidating behaviours

She urged inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar to launch investigations to prevent these threats from escalating further.

A police report on the matter will be lodged at the Northeast District police headquarters on Jalan Pattani later today.

"We also urge police to probe lewd, late night phone calls made to Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah and human rights advocate Ambiga Sreenevasan.

"Intimidating behaviour such as rape threats and sexually explicit phone calls have now become widely tolerated and this is unacceptable.

"Threats made online and through SMSes should be taken as seriously as those made in real life," Yap said.

She and Syerleena were referring to one Sharul Nizam Abdul Rahim, who posted the alleged threat against Noor Farida ( photo ) on his Facebook account on Dec 8.

His remarks gave the impression that he was planning to enter Noor Farida's bedroom.

"Once I'm on the bed, anyone please contact the religious investigating officers. If you pity me, just call him tomorrow night lah. At least I can try her tonight," Sharul Nizam had posted.

Sharul Nizam said Noor Farida had angered many Muslims when she called for the abolition of the Khalwat Criminal Offences Enactment.

"No respect at all for the religious laws in the state,” he added.

Khalwat is a crime under syariah law, where extramarital sex and close proximity between unmarried couples are penalised.

Sharul Nizam had laughed off the threat, saying it was his human right, to utter such remarks even if he was labelled "low".

He said he took offence at Noor Farida's remarks on khalwat made at a press conference on Sunday, after the "Islam is a Constitutional Democracy" forum organised by the liberal G25 movement of retired Muslim and Malay civil servants.

Noor Farida had announced that the group was forming a consultative committee to review and recommend repeal or amendments to state syariah laws that are unconstititional, and those that violate a person's privacy, such as khalwat.