Multiple Women Come Forward To Claim This Tioman Diving Instructor Sexually Harassed Them
The diving learning centre refused to comment on the allegations, citing that the issue is a personal matter of the instructor.
A Malaysian solo traveller recently went viral for sharing a horrifying sexual harassment encounter she experienced after realising that she was not the only victim at a diving learning centre in Pahang
Speaking in an Instagram Reel uploaded last week, Min Ning warns other female travellers to avoid going to Tioman Cabana, located in Tekek Village, Pulau Tioman.
"It turns out that I wasn't the only one who got harassed at this place," began the 28-year-old, before showing a screenshot of a recent Google Review left by what seems to be a foreign tourist detailing how she was sexually harassed by an instructor there.
Ning shared that she went to learn diving at the facility in August 2022, and she vlogged her entire trip in a YouTube video.
She said she met a male instructor there who acted "very inappropriately", which led her to cut short her trip and give up her remaining diving classes because she no longer felt safe.
Image via @risenning (Instagram)
"Before I left the place, I actually told the people working there [that his] behaviour is not appropriate," Ning said
However, her complaint fell on deaf ears as other female travellers who went there after her also allegedly faced the same harassment.
"This (sexual harassment allegation) is not the only one. There's another one [posted] four [and] five months ago," Ning said, referring to Google Reviews that also had sexual harassment allegations against the staff at Tioman Cabana.
"I don't know about other guys who are working there... but this guy... is definitely bad news."
Speaking to SAYS, Ning said two women have since reached out to her to share similar experiences they faced while at the diving learning centre
"I was traumatised and confused for months after my solo trip. And I kept it a secret for the whole time until I finally shared it with my boyfriend and told him the whole thing," a female victim told Ning on Wednesday, 1 March.
The victim added that she had updated her Google Review to deter other women from visiting Tioman Cabana.
Another woman told Ning that "me and a friend also kena from [him]".
Two women reaching out to Ning to share their experiences at Tioman Cabana.
Image via Min Ning (Provided to SAYS)
Ning recalled her experience with the alleged harasser starting out as jokes before it progressed to intentional verbal and physical harassment
"He said very sexual things, then guilt-tripped me when he saw that I wasn't into it," she told SAYS.
"He kept saying things like he knows he's not good-looking... bla bla... Then, he also kept saying that he knew I was into him even though I stressed a few times that I only liked him as a friend."
"I also stated that I had a boyfriend at that time."
That night, Ning claimed that the man started "doing shots" and she shared a few glasses with him. But even without the alcohol, Ning said the instructor had been "handsy".
Whenever she rejected his advances, he allegedly kept saying, "Why not? Why not?"
Ning said she was afraid for her life, hence she remained friendly with him, as she thought that the area "was his territory".
The top photo shows the alleged sexual harasser, while the bottom photo shows Ning at the diving learning centre.
Image via ashetravels (YouTube)
SAYS has reached out to Tioman Cabana for a statement, however, they refused to comment on the matter
"I'm sorry. We can't provide any response on the matter above because, currently, [he] is unreachable for comment," the diving learning centre said.
"We believe the above is a matter of personal issue and we are unable to respond on his behalf. Thank you."
Attempts to reach out to the man have been unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Ning also added that she cannot file a police report over the incident as she is currently not in Malaysia and believes that she does not have a strong case with evidence on the matter.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: telenita@awam.org.my
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: wcc@wccpenang.org
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: sarswws@gmail.com
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: sawo.women@yahoo.com
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: protect@psthechildren.org.my
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
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