Summoned by IGP over tweet on rape fears, lawyer says ‘system has failed’

KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 — The civil liberties lawyer hauled up by police over a tweet expressing her fear of being raped, today condemned the justice system as a failure if voicing her concerns results in her being investigated.

Lawyer Michelle Yesudas also said she has since been contacted by the federal police instructing her to be present at Bukit Aman for questioning, but claimed the officer who called her could not explain what law she was being investigated under and hung up when asked.

“If I have to answer the police because of my fear against rising crime, rape and threats and it is used against me, then the system has failed,” she tweeted today.

Earlier today, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the civil liberties lawyer will be made to explain her tweet that read: “Because I am positively terrified that these crazy, rape-frenzied people are actually the majority in my country.”

“Summon @chelle_yesudas to explain to @PDRMsia what is meant by her tweet, do not create unrest among the public,” Khalid wrote, using Michelle and the police’s Twitter handles.

Michelle in return explained that she is clearly concerned that there are many rapists in the country, and insisted that she did not broach the subject of religion.

She cited the rape threats made against BFM presenter Aisyah Tajuddin, and asked if the IGP needed her to write an essay to explain her concern to him.

Aisyah reportedly received numerous death and rape threats on various online platforms, following outrage over a video titled “Hudud Isi Periuk Nasi? (Kupas)” (Does hudud fill our rice bowls?) that was posted on BFM’s website and YouTube channel on Thursday. Khalid had said the police will also investigate those who have made the threats as well.

BFM employees including Aisyah are currently being questioned by the police and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) over the video.

It is unclear if any of those who threatened Aisyah have been questioned or arrested.