Azalina sees ‘dangerous misogynistic tendency’ in violence against female students, urges closer look

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 7 — Law and Institutional Reform Minister Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said has expressed concern over a surge in violent attacks against female students, warning that it could be a symptom of growing misogyny. During a press conference in Parliament, Azalina highlighted that many victims of these assaults are women who are targeted by people they know, such as classmates or faculty members.

She pointed out that the perpetrators are often individuals with whom the victims have had prior interactions, suggesting that the violence may stem from rejection, jealousy, or a sense of entitlement.

Several tragic incidents have come to light, including the death of 16-year-old Irene Sofiya Khairoul Faisal, who was found dead in her school hall with fatal blunt force trauma to the head. Police have detained three male schoolmates under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder. In her address, Azalina emphasized that the attacks were characterized by a dangerous misogynistic tendency, where acts of violence are committed when someone is rejected or denied something they desired.

She stressed the importance of conducting a thorough examination of the underlying causes behind these violent episodes.

Azalina also noted a broader cultural shift, citing the rapid expectations of young people, who have grown accustomed to receiving instant gratification through apps like Grab. "Young people today want everything quickly," she observed. "In the past, to cook a meal, you had to chop vegetables and wait. Now, you just call a delivery service and it arrives at your doorstep."

She expressed worry that this culture of instant gratification is contributing to the rise in gender-based violence, urging for increased monitoring and intervention efforts across the ministries responsible for addressing such issues.