NGO Empower has demanded a stop to the cyberattacks aimed at activist, writer and #UndiRosak campaigner Maryam Lee.

Since participating as a panellist at the “Undi Rosak: Kau Nak Apa Sebenarnya?” (Spoiled votes: What do you actually want?) forum on Jan 25, Maryam has reported about being attacked online in the form of doctored images, deeply sexist comments and accusations that she was “paid by BN” on social networking site Facebook.

Empower said “supporters of the opposition” were involved in these attacks and condemned them for harassing Maryam in a “sexist, misogynist and extremist” manner.

“Instead of demonstrating maturity when engaging in the discourse, many supporters of the opposition resorted to unwarranted sexist, misogynist and extremist harassment against Maryam, and targeted their attacks solely at body shaming and (at) her identity as a young woman.

“Many of these attackers have accessed, taken and used her pictures without Maryam’s knowledge and consent. They further manipulated and/or morphed her photographic images into sexually explicit ones.

“These images are accompanied by extremely demeaning and sexualised insults and name-calling,” said the NGO in a statement.

Women attacked more severely than males

Empower said it was "disheartening" to note that other activists who held similar views on #UndiRosak had failed to support Maryam, instead blaming her by saying that if someone presents her views in public, she should be open to being attacked. 

“Such a view underscores the reality that women are attacked more severely than their male allies for speaking up on the same issues, despite the valid and substantial points women make,” the NGO said.

Empower urged netizens to respect each other’s views and engage in meaningful discourse, rather than resort to personal attacks and harassment.

“Engaging in a discourse does not mean we only respect those views that agree or concede with ours, but also to be able to respect and listen no matter how these expressions and opinions are alien or new to us.

“We urge all parties to halt all forms of attacks and harassment against Maryam and those supporting #UndiRosak. We urge everyone who is engaging in the discourse to refrain from impulsive and destructive personal attacks but to debate on the points raised.

“A corrupted and abusive government oppresses everyone, but sexism, misogyny and gender inequalities oppress women and gender non-conforming people,” it said.

Harapan leaders still silent

Yesterday, Maryam published a video on her personal Facebook wall showing the type of abuse she had been receiving and published an accompanying statement condemning Pakatan Harapan leaders for their silence on these cyberattacks despite previously decrying “toxic politics”.

“This violence and abuse are coming from the very pact who call themselves different from their political enemies - Pakatan Harapan supporters - who call themselves different from Barisan Nasional.

“Harapan leaders are still silent, mum, not taking responsibility for this unruly behaviour, as their intellectuals and spokespersons keep refusing to address core issues raised by the #UndiRosak campaign.

“They knowingly continue the mockery, insults, and scare tactics. I hold them accountable, because they are not leading the path to mature politics by example, at least not willing to do it hard enough, since doing that would mean some serious self-reflection.

“In the past two weeks, #UndiRosak has uncovered many sides of Harapan that are so similar to BN, from the top to the bottom, hence the existence of such a campaign against them in the first place.

“Please spare me the reminders of all Harapan's past campaigns against toxic politics, principles of justice, and fighting for the underdogs. I already know them, I was directly involved in a lot of them, which is why all this is that much more heartbreaking and difficult to take,” she said.