Women’s rights activists have condemned a local actor for making remarks to justify domestic abuse.

Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, who is also a prominent women’s rights activist, said such remarks, especially from a public figure, showed acceptance of violence as a form of discipline.

“The basic principle is that no one deserves to be beaten - be it a woman or a man.

“If we are unhappy, we should talk it out and this applies to all relationships,” Maria told Malaysiakini when contacted.

She was commenting on local actor Sharnaaz Ahmad, who was reported as saying that there “must be a reason” that leads to a man hitting his girlfriend.

Sharnaaz, who was approached about talk going on that an actor assaulted his girlfriend, went on to question why there was no outcry when a woman hits a man.

“As an actor, he certainly is not a role model if he encourages violence.

“He excuses the perpetrator and blames the woman for being the cause of violence,” said Maria, a former executive director of Empower, a women’s rights NGO.

When contacted, Sharnaaz (photo), who was recently appointed the face of Men’s Biore range of skincare products, said he has no issues with women rights' groups fighting against domestic violence.

He also defended his reported remarks, but insisted that he never said it was right for a man to hit a woman.

“Why am I in the spotlight? The latest issue about (someone) hitting a girl, but was that me? I would have readily come forward if I hit the girl.

“All I’m saying is that, to hit a girl is wrong, but do people ever ask why (a person) beat up his wife? Did she flirt, cheat or whatever? Open your minds to a wider scale, please,” he said through a WhatsApp message.

No stranger to such controversy

Sharnaaz, who is no stranger to such a controversy, also said that he was surprised when initially confronted with the latest allegations.

“Whatever it is, I still need a woman in my life,” he added.

On the role of men and women in a relationship, feminist filmmaker Norhayati Kaprawi reminded Sharnaaz that the Prophet Muhammad never resorted to hitting any of his wives to resolve a dispute.

“A man has absolutely no right to hit his girlfriend, no matter for what reason. A man who beats up a woman only dares to do so because he feels that the woman is weaker.

“That is the action and mindset of a bully. A bully will not dare to hit someone who is stronger than him,” Norhayati said.