LETTER | Stand up against colourism

LETTER | Colourism is defined as prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone and is a component of racism.

There is no place for colourism or treating people differently based on their skin colour in a multiracial nation like Malaysia. 

Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia (Sirom) is appalled by the colourist, racist and sexist remarks made by Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim against Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto on July 13, 2020 about her skin colour.

Colourism has serious mental and emotional effects that can last for generations. 

It often results in darker-skinned people from various racial backgrounds being treated worse than their lighter-skinned counterparts. 

Being discriminated based on the colour of one’s skin is extremely damaging to one’s self-worth. 

Recent world events have shown how racism can turn destructive very quickly, and must be addressed swiftly. 

This is especially relevant today when the “Black Lives Matter” campaign has gained momentum and forced many countries to re-evaluate their policies and laws.

Regrettably, such sexist and divisive comments are not alien to our parliamentary proceedings, and must not be tolerated nor dismissed as harmless. 

Women MPs must be empowered to champion their causes and uphold their community’s values without fear of being belittled by caustic personal or sexist attacks.

As leaders of their constituents, all MPs should be subject to higher standards of decorum and propriety, and the MP for Baling ought to be penalised. 

A retraction and apology are simply not enough.

To move Malaysia forward, we urge all MPs to practise mutual respect and tolerance in a multiracial nation.

AGNES TAN is the president of Soroptimist International Region of Malaysia (Sirom).

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.