[VIDEO] Inspector Sheila Claims She's A Victim Of "Jealousy & Discrimination"
According to the 35-year-old, men don't "like" it when a woman is "loud".
By Sadho Ram — 26 Jun 2023, 06:26 PM
A senior female police officer, who was charged today, 26 June, with insulting the modesty of two men and criminally intimidating an elderly woman, claims she's a victim of "jealousy and discrimination"
According to 35-year-old Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar, men don't "like" it when a woman is "loud".
Videos showing the senior officer loudly disparaging her colleagues and a senior citizen earlier this month went viral, following which, she was given the moniker of 'Viral Inspector Sheila' by people online.
She was arrested on 18 June and this morning was charged at two separate magistrate's courts in Selayang, where she pleaded not guilty to the three charges, according to a report in New Straits Times.
The inspector told reporters that she can't "tone down" her voice
"When you shine, not many people like it. When you sound loud as a woman, men doesn't [sic] like it. They feel that we are empowering. And the fact is that this is the way I am. I can't tone down my voice," she said.
Defending her behaviour, which many online had described as "rude" and "unprofessional", the inspector claimed that she has even told the same to her superiors, who have asked her to "tone down" her voice.
"I couldn't be able to edit my voice to make it a very girlish voice. I'm trained as such," she told reporters while justifying her actions by adding that she's the eldest of eight siblings and has six younger brothers.
"I'm supposed to manage all my younger siblings. So imagine the responsibility that I have while living with boys in my house. How would my character develop to be," the 35-year-old explained.
Meanwhile, Inspector Sheila also claimed that as of today, she hasn't been served with any letter of suspension from the police force
"I was never suspended. That is why I was surprised why the Home Minister issued a statement when until today, I haven't received any letter of suspension," New Straits Times quoted her as saying.
On 22 June, Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the media, while not identifying Inspector Sheila by name, that the officer was suspended from official duties, pending investigations.
Her lawyer M Manoharan, who was with her today, also remarked that she was "still a police officer" and that she's "a clean, honest, and dedicated officer that holds a lot of potential".
"She comes from a good family, where her father, who is also her bailor, was a former police officer with Assistant Superintendent rank, who had served the force for 39 years before this," he said.
"And, she (Sheila) herself has been with the force for seven years. We want justice. I'm not going to tolerate this (charges). I will not be sending any representation, and we will fight till the end," Manoharan added.
The charges against Inspector Sheila have been framed under Section 506 and Section 509 of the Penal Code. She was allowed bail with the court fixing 7 August for the next mention.
