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Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Women's rights pioneer and Ops Lalang detainee Theresa Lim dies at 68, mourned by activists
KUALA LUMPUR, July 21 — Renowned women's rights activist Theresa Lim Chin Chin has reportedly died at the age of 68 early yesterday. Malaysiakini cited her son Daniel Jeyachristi Anthony confirming the death at Universiti Malaya Medical Centre over cancer complications. 'She was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma earlier this week. She was too weak to start chemotherapy and deteriorated further,' he was quoted saying. Lim was formerly detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) during Ops Lalang on October 27, 1987, and released on June 3, 1988. She had then been involved in All Women's Action Society (Awam) and the Women's Development Collective (WDC). Her photograph had appeared on The Star's front page on October 28, 1987 recording the ISA detention, labelled 'Miss Lim Chin Chin – Aliran women's leader'. She later documented her 60-day solitary confinement experience in a published account. After her release, she had continued her activism to the end of her life. Former Batu MP Chua Tian Chang today mourned her death, saying her sacrifices had paved the way for today's movements. 'Her unwavering spirit will continue to inspire us forward. Rest well Lim, your legacy lives on in our hearts as well as in the fight for justice,' the activist known as Tian Chua posted on Instagram. Activist Kua Kia Soong also paid tribute to Lim. They had both been detained under Ops Lalang. 'She suffered torture during her detention, especially during the first 60 days of solitary confinement. The trauma left her with an auto-immune disability that left her unwell for many years,' he posted on Facebook.
The Star
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Silence is not consent
For many women, silence is not consent – it's survival. That was the unspoken truth at the heart of Julie Keeps Quiet, the Belgian film recently screened in Kuala Lumpur. The event – hosted by the Embassy of Belgium in collaboration with the All Women's Action Society (Awam) and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Malaysia – was more than just a cinematic experience; it emphasised the need for more discourse on the issue of sexual harassment in sports. Set within the walls of a prestigious Belgian tennis academy, Julie Keeps Quiet tells the story of a young tennis player who withholds her voice after her coach is suspended following allegations of misconduct. The film, Belgium's official submission to the 97th Academy Awards, does not offer easy answers. Instead, it presents an unsettling reality that many survivors of abuse recognise: that silence is often less a decision than a consequence. Van Acker says the film highlights the many sensitive issues involved in sexual harassment and that solutions are required. "Despite its title, the film by no means suggests that keeping quiet is a solution to sexual harassment," clarified Belgium's Ambassador to Malaysia, Peter Van Acker, in his opening remarks. "But it highlights the many sensitive issues involved, and that solutions are required." Now in its 40th year, Awam has seen firsthand how deeply rooted gender-based violence is in Malaysia, Awam president Ho Yock Lin said in her welcome address. "Since our Telenita helpline was established in 1991, we've received over 15,000 calls from survivors. This year alone, we've already handled eight workplace sexual harassment cases – and those are just the tip of the iceberg. "Seventy-five per cent of women in the Asia-Pacific region have experienced sexual harassment. In 2023 alone, Malaysia recorded 522 official cases, with nearly 30 involving the national sports sector," she said. Ho says when athletes are subjected to inappropriate comments or unwanted advances, the playing field becomes a space of fear, silence and lost potential. "Sports is supposed to be empowering. But when athletes are subjected to inappropriate comments or unwanted advances, the playing field becomes a space of fear, silence and lost potential," she added. "As such, 'Me Too' stories shouldn't be a rite of passage – they should be a call to action," said Ho. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh, who officiated the event, reaffirmed the government's commitment to safer sporting environments in her keynote address. In 2023, the ministry introduced the Safe Sport Code – Malaysia's first comprehensive framework to address misconduct and abuse in the sporting world. "Safe spaces in sports are not optional – they are essential,' said Yeoh. Safe spaces in sports are not optional – they are essential, said Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh. The Code outlines five core offences – sexual harassment, sexual grooming, psychological misconduct, physical misconduct and bullying. Since its launch, 49 complaints have been lodged under the Safe Sport mechanism – 40 of them involving the National Sports Council. "The more we raise awareness, the more people will feel safe to come forward," Yeoh said. Training and preventive work are ongoing. More than 3,700 individuals – including coaches, staff and athletes – have completed the Safe Sports Course. Background checks are now mandatory for all coaches under the National Sports Council, and efforts are underway to expand this nationwide. Still, policy alone isn't enough and there is still much work to be done, she said. "To truly challenge the culture of silence, we must address a range of cultural and structural issues by ensuring anonymous support for survivors, raising awareness and educating people, and fighting gender stereotypes." (Anonymous support involves protecting the identity and ensuring the privacy of the survivor when they report or testify, so that the perpetrator doesn't retaliate, threaten or further harm them.) (from left) Ng, Sarina, Hoh and Tehmina, at the panel discussion. The film screening was followed by a panel discussion titled "Breaking the Silence: Exploring the Impact of Sexual Harassment in Sports and Beyond". Moderated by broadcast journalist Tehmina Kaoosji, the panel featured national U19 women's team footballer Lauren Hoh Ruyi, former gold-medallist gymnast and Safe Sport Malaysia founder Sarina Sundara Rajah, and Awam legal advisor Dr May Ng. Their insights reflected the realities behind Julie's silence – fear, stigma and power imbalances. "Speaking up shouldn't come at the cost of a person's career," said Hoh. "For survivors, the decision to report abuse often feels like choosing between justice and professional/personal survival." Sarina added, "Silence is often misread as consent. But it's really about power – who has it, and who doesn't feel safe enough to challenge it." Ng addressed the stigma that silences survivors. "There's a myth that silence equals consent but really, it equals fear; fear of not being believed, of being blamed, or of losing your place in the sport you love. We need to flip the burden. Breaking the silence shouldn't fall only on survivors, it should be everyone's shared responsibility." She further pushed for a redesign of the systems meant to protect athletes. "This is not just about punishing perpetrators and wrongdoers. It's about building clubs, schools and reporting channels that centre on the safety and dignity of those most vulnerable." Instead of asking survivors why they didn't speak up, we should ask why the system failed to protect them, said Onabanjo. Photo: UNFPA UNFPA Malaysia representative and Thailand country director Dr Julitta Onabanjo offered a global perspective. "One in three women worldwide will experience physical or sexual violence in her lifetime," she noted. "The cost is simply too high. Sexual harassment robs athletes of their confidence, their progress and sometimes, their future." She challenged cultural narratives that shift blame onto victims. "Why do we ask survivors why they didn't speak up, instead of asking why the system failed to protect them?" she asked. "The myth of the 'perfect victim' must end. Survivors shouldn't need to be flawless to be believed." In her closing address, Onabanjo emphasised the importance of rejecting rape culture and investing in prevention. "A woman is not harassed because of what she wears," she said. "But because someone chose to harm her." Throughout the discussion, one sentiment echoed again and again: silence is shaped by fear, power and the structures we live within. And changing that requires more than empathy – it requires action. For Awam, UNFPA and the Youth and Sports Ministry, the goal is clear: build systems that survivors can trust. Create spaces where speaking out is not an act of bravery, but a basic right. "Let this film inspire us. Let it move us to action. Whether you're a coach, a policymaker, or a parent, you have a role to play in making sports safer for everyone," Ho concluded.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Chasing for alimony and child support
Upholding women's rights: Ho (back row, third from right) with other Awam members during the launch of its May Day Forum in Petaling Jaya. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star Experts urge stronger legal protection for divorced women PETALING JAYA: Malaysia must strengthen its legal framework to better protect divorced women from financial exploitation, especially in situations where they are pressured by former spouses into risky financial agreements, say rights body and lawyers. All Women's Action Society (Awam) president Ho Yock Lin said there must be a way to ensure regular payment for alimony and child support. The delay or lack of payments is typically due to the former spouse. This can be addressed through an 'intermediary' method such as automatic deduction of wages for child support or alimony. 'There are court orders but the lack of action to ensure or monitor these spouses must be addressed,' she said after the launch of Awam's 40th anniversary May Day Forum here yesterday. The problem of non-payment often arises because the spouse has no financial means to fufil the court order. 'There must be a way to ensure the men pay the court-ordered alimony or child support as it is their responsibility,' she added. Association of Women's Lawyers vice-president Denise Lim said women often find it difficult to legally challenge financial arrangements made under emotional pressure or deceit. 'While it's possible to challenge such agreements on grounds such as undue influence or misrepresentation, proving these in court is often difficult,' she explained. Lim noted that evidence of domestic violence by spouses could strengthen such claims. Single mothers, she said, may protect themselves by obtaining a court order for spousal and child maintenance and/or division of assets. She said that with such an order, the single mother may also apply for enforcement of court order against their former spouse, if necessary, with attachment of earnings, garnishee proceedings and/or writs of seizure. 'However, such legal processes can be time-consuming, costly and mentally draining. 'It also places the burden on the wife to chase after the former spouse for child and spousal maintenance,' she added. In advocating for reform, Lim highlighted Australia as a model, where enforcement mechanisms are in place to better protect women who only receive court orders but still had to chase their former spouses for monthly childcare payments. 'Better laws and mechanisms need to be put in place to allow for effective enforcement so that single mothers don't end up with mere paper judgments or orders,' she said. Lim strongly advises individuals to obtain independent legal advice before signing financial documents, especially when approached by a former spouse. 'It serves as evidence that the person entered the agreement voluntarily,' she said, adding that it is also crucial to assess and limit one's liability in such arrangements. On divorce settlements, Lim urged women, particularly those who had left the workforce to raise children, to seek both financial and legal advice. She acknowledged that single mothers in Malaysia often struggle financially during and after divorce, especially if former spouses fail to provide maintenance. On a brighter note, she said single mothers may be eligible for legal aid, subject to income thresholds.
The Star
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Women's NGO in KL celebrates 40 years of advocacy in action
In October, campaign culminates in a 16-day art exhibition titled 'A Canvas of Change: Awam's 40-Year Journey'. Photo: Freepik This year marks a milestone for All Women's Action Society (Awam), a leading Malaysian NGO championing women's rights and gender equality. To celebrate of its 40th anniversary, Awam is launching a series of events under the banner Canvas of Change, designed to honour women who've shaped Malaysia and to inspire the next generation to do the same. Ho says for the last four decades, Awam's journey has been driven by a shared vision of a just, safe and gender-equal society. Photo: All Women Action Society Starting this month, a powerful line-up of forums, performances and art exhibitions will spotlight extraordinary Malaysian women leaders from all walks of life. Awam president Ho Yock Lin says the celebration is set to be "a powerful and timely conversation spotlighting women leaders who not only manage organisations and caregiving responsibilities at home, but do so successfully". On May 10, a May Day Forum titled "From Boardrooms to Homefront: Women Leaders on Navigating Work, Leadership and Caregiving" will discuss pressing issues such as unpaid care work, evolving gender roles and the challenges and triumphs of women in leadership. Speakers include former member of parliament Nurul Izzah Anwar, sustainable supply chain expert Datin Lorela Chia of Malaysia Association of Sustainable Supply Chain & Innovation (MASSCI) and Amanda Kong, a PWD rights advocate from Make It Right Movement. On Aug 16, a piano recital will be held featuring Malaysian pianists. Performers include Siew Yuet Yang, a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) scholarship recipient from the University of Oregon; Sheak Wen Qi, who won Gold Prize in the Young Artiste category at the Euroasia Piano Competition; and Sheak Yu Tian, who won second prize in the Beethoven Sonata category at the Hong Kong International Piano Competition 2023. In September, Awam will also launch a portrait book featuring the work of Malaysian artist Hakim Abdullah, better known as Pencil Ninja. Hakim has gained both local and international recognition, including acknowledgments from Buckingham Palace for his portraits of Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III. The campaign culminates in October with a 16-day art exhibition, A Canvas of Change: Awam's 40-Year Journey. Running from Oct 17 to Nov 2, it will showcase 25 graphite illustrations that chronicle the stories of women whose strength and vision have shaped Malaysian society. All proceeds from the portrait book, piano recital and art exhibition will go directly to support Awam's missions. Photo: Freepik All proceeds from the portrait book, piano recital and art exhibition will go directly to support Awam's mission: advocating for justice and equality, combating gender-based violence, and uplifting communities through education and support, says Ho. 'For 40 years, our journey has been driven by a shared vision of a just, safe and gender-equal society. What began in 1985 continues with unwavering compassion and community support. We honour every hand that has helped shape this path, each heart that has believed in our cause, and all the lives that have been touched and changed along the way," she adds. More info: or follow @awammalaysia on Instagram.
The Star
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Artificial intelligence a threat to children's safety, say activists
Digitally-altered images/videos or deepfakes are threatening the safety of children in Malaysia. Therefore, firm and prompt action must be taken to protect them, a coalition of activists has urged. 'The recent deepfake scandal involving 38 students at a private secondary school in Kulai, Johor, is a stark reminder that threats to our children now extend beyond physical spaces,' said the group, which includes KRYSS Network, All Women's Action Society (Awam) and Women's Aid Organisation (WAO), in a recent statement. The psychological impact of child sexual abuse – whether online or offline – is devastating and far-reaching, often negatively affecting the future of survivors. Victims have reported experiencing nightmares, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts and deep discomfort attending school alongside individuals complicit in their victimisation, namely those who have actively created, commented or shared the deepfakes. The youngest survivor is reportedly only 12 to 13 years old. One survivor even shared that a disciplinary teacher victim-blamed her, trivialising the incident and suggesting that the 16-year-old perpetrator was 'just a kid' who 'needs counselling'. 'This highlights the urgent need for institutions to adopt a survivor-centric approach, free from bias and trivialisation of abuse,' the statement said. The group urges the Malaysian public and policymakers to stay vigilant about the growing misuse of AI-generated content and its impact. Immediate and firm action is needed to address digital safety and online gender-based violence, especially among minors. In response to the issue, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri said last week that a high-level brainstorming session to tackle the growing misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly among school students on social media, is on the cards. The session will explore possible amendments to existing laws and strengthen enforcement mechanisms to keep pace with emerging digital threats. Read more: Tackling AI misuse among students Exploitation of digital tools Perpetrators can easily manipulate photos or videos to falsely portray individuals saying or doing things they never actually did. Photo: Freepik On April 8, the school confirmed that a male student had produced, sold and distributed AI-generated deepfake images of female schoolmates and alumni. By April 15, 29 police reports were filed, with at least 38 victims identified, including very young children. 'This case underscores a deeply troubling trend: the exploitation of digital tools to perpetrate violence against minors. The ease with which deepfake technology can be weaponised – combined with weak oversight on platforms like Telegram and X – has made children increasingly vulnerable in online spaces.' Deepfakes, as defined by the United Nations Population Fund, are a form of non-consensual image-based abuse. Deepfake bots make it dangerously easy to manipulate photos or videos without the victim's consent. Perpetrators can easily manipulate photos or videos to falsely portray individuals saying or doing things they never actually did. In the case of the school incident, one such deepfake image was viewed over 10,000 times on X, and a Telegram group with over 200 members continues to facilitate the circulation of these images, according to the statement. 'The multiplier effect of digital sharing amplifies trauma for survivors, most of whom are girls, and it severely impacts their mental health and future,' the group stressed. While the perpetrator has been expelled and counselling services offered to survivors, the incident highlights the urgent need for Malaysia to strengthen its digital safety frameworks. Consistent enforcement necessary Although the Online Safety Act 2024 marks progress, enforcement must be consistent and particularly vigilant in protecting minors from AI-generated abuse. The coalition is advocating a three-pronged action plan: improving digital laws and platform regulation; enforcing clear policies on sexual misconduct in schools; and introducing Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) for all. 'With Malaysia chairing Asean in 2025, there is an opportunity to lead by example. Countries like South Korea, Australia, and the European Union have introduced strong laws to combat deepfake-related crimes. Malaysia must criminalise the possession, creation, and distribution of non-consensual deepfakes, especially those involving children, and hold platforms accountable,' the group urged. Teaching young people about consent, digital safety and respect from an early age is essential to dismantling the toxic cultures that enable such abuse. CSE must also extend to parents, teachers and caregivers to reinforce these values at home. The statement was endorsed by Family Frontiers, Sisters in Islam (SiS), Justice for Sisters (JFS), Kolektif Feminis Malaysia, Association of Women Lawyers (AWL), Perak Women for Women Society (PWW), Women's Centre for Change Penang (WCC), Autism Inclusiveness Direct Action Group (Aida), Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (Empower), Sabah Women's Action Resource Group (Sawo), Sarawak Women for Women Society (SWWS), and Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor (PSWS). If you or someone you know is experiencing online gender-based violence and needs support, resources are available through KRYSS Network's OGBV Toolkit ( Awam's Telenita Helpline (016-237 4221/016-228 4221), and WAO's Tina Helpline (018-988 8058).
