OKU Group Lodges Police Report Against Kak Long 7E For Insulting People With Disabilities
Wan Nor Baizura Bharudin is seen mocking the way people with disabilities (OKU) walk and talk in a video.
By Yap Wan Xiang — 18 Mar 2022, 11:34 AM
A police report has been lodged against Wan Nor Baizura Bharudin after she insulted people with disabilities (OKU) by mocking them in a video
In the video uploaded recently, the woman who sells cosmetics online — more popularly known as Kak Long 7E — is seen repeating some comments found in her social media post while walking sideways and doing several facial impressions.
She is seen deliberately mocking the OKU community while laughing in between.
"Kak Long sebenarnya bukan nak viral pun (Kak Long, I'm actually not trying to go viral)," she begins in the video while acting in such a way to burlesque OKU.
"Kak long, mintak maaf lah. Jangan marah-marah (Kak Long, I'm sorry lah. Don't be angry)," she reads one of the comments she received, before speaking in her usual voice, "Aduh, they think they are now famous. I didn't say it, (but) you said it. I was already famous before this woi."
After the video was published, netizens made copies of the clip and shared them online to call out on the woman's insensitive behaviour
It quickly gained the public's attention, with many rights groups and political leaders censuring her.
Among them was the Persatuan Pembangunan Orang Kurang Upaya Anggota Terengganu (POKUAT), whose 16 of its members gathered at the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters (IPD) yesterday, 17 March, to lodge a police report against Wan, reported Bernama.
"Before this OKU viral video, she (Wan) had also uploaded another sensational video on social media, then made a public apology after being severely criticised, but it didn't seem to be enough for her from repeating a similar mistake," POKUAT president Fakruddin Zakaria told reporters on Thursday.
"Therefore, stricter action must be taken."
He added that the police report was lodged to enable the authorities to launch an investigation and take action against Wan.
He also wishes that POKUAT's action yesterday could make the government open their eyes and realise it is time to introduce new laws against individuals who insult the disabled, either in actions or speech.
"We also hope that Senator Datuk Ras Adiba Radzi (who is also the president of OKU Sentral), the Social Welfare Department, and the Ministry of Communications and Multimedia take this matter seriously, and that the appropriate law can be introduced," Fakruddin said.
POKUAT president Fakruddin Zakaria (left) and his members at the Kuala Terengganu district police headquarters (IPD) lodge a police report against Wan Nor Baizura.
Image via Sinar HarianMeanwhile, Ras Adiba has also spoken out on the issue, saying that Wan should make a public apology and conduct charity activities to serve as a lesson
Ras Adiba, who is a Senate representative for OKU, said in a statement yesterday that ridiculing a disabled person to create content and become famous on social media was uncalled for, reported Bernama.
"I hope that all parties can maintain sensitivity and respect for OKU. This is not the first time such an incident has happened. In fact, lately, there have been several incidences (of making fun of the disabled) occurring," said the senator, who frequently speaks out on the issue.
"The weak enforcement of the Persons with Disabilities Act 2008 has caused many out there to continue to ridicule and discriminate against the disabled community."
Ras Adiba also thinks that the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM) needs to expedite the amendment of the act by emphasising the protection and safety of the group through law enforcement.
She encourages more OKU organisations to lodge a police report against Wan, so that action can be taken against her, citing the act of physically insulting a person verbally or online is classified as a crime under Section 233 (1)(b) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 (Act 588).
