"Don't Politicise Video" – Rina Harun Tells Public To Focus On Programme's Content Instead
Actor Datuk Rosyam Nor, who made controversial remarks about women in the video, said that he was trying to uplift women in business.
By Suraya Athira — 15 Sep 2022, 04:34 PM
Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM) Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun has responded to criticism over the ministry's promotional video that was deemed "degrading" to women
The video went viral after it was uploaded by Rina on her TikTok page and featured actor Datuk Rosyam Nor seemingly trying to promote the Women Rise Entrepreneurship programme that took place yesterday, 14 September.
In the video, Rosyam can be heard saying, "Women are always late for everything," and threatening to "beat some sense" into women's heads.
At a press conference, Rina told the public not to politicise the video after receiving backlash from netizens and former KPWKM deputy minister Hannah Yeoh, who slammed Rina for using a "cheap publicity stunt" that was insulting to the ministry
"At this juncture, let's not politicise everything. Look at the contents of the programme. What's important is that many (women) need to be defended and helped," she was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today.
Rina also invited Yeoh, who called for her sacking over the promotional video, to join her in helping women in need.
"If Yeoh or anyone else wants to assist us in helping women who are in need, we welcome them to do so. Don't just talk, do," she urged.
Rosyam has also clarified his intention behind his controversial remarks
He told reporters that people should look at the video from a positive angle, according to Harian Metro.
Since the programme was to raise awareness and encourage women to rise in entrepreneurship, he thinks that "there was no issue of him using harsh speech or degrading women".
According to the KL Gangster 2 actor, what he meant by the word "belasah" (to beat up) in the video was "to brainwash" women to rise in business.
"Those who joined the programme understood what I was trying to say and had no problem with the word," he explained.
He went on to say that the phrase "women are always late" used in the video was merely a metaphor for female entrepreneurs, not women who wake up late.
