Angry Malay Woman

Sexuality can never be a private affair

“Why can’t these gay rights activists keep their sexuality issues private? No one needs to have their sexual preferences shoved in our (sic) faces or marching down the streets like they do in gay pride marches. Sexuality should be a private matter, like religion.” Sounds familiar? It’s what people say when they don’t like to… Continue reading Sexuality can never be a private affair

Menilai semula sikap rakyat terhadap ahli politik wanita

First published on Merdeka Review, 27 January 2012. Sudah menjadi tabiat sesetengah orang Malaysia menghina perempuan dengan kekerasan yang berbaur seksual dan kelucahan; ancaman rogol dan dikecam sebagai pelacur atau perempuan murahan. Lelaki yang dikritik dan dimaki hamun tidak akan menerima kecaman yang sebegitu. Ini adalah kerana orang perempuan dianggap sasaran yang lemah layu dan… Continue reading Menilai semula sikap rakyat terhadap ahli politik wanita

Laki-laki feminis, sila tampil ke hadapan

Dalam kolum saya di Merdeka Review baru-baru ini, saya membincangkan tentang tanggungjawab kita sebagai sebuah masyarakat dalam menangani isu misogyni (atau pembencian wanita di bawah dan atas sedar) di Malaysia. Hari ini, saya ingin menjemput pembaca untuk memikirkan tentang peranan lelaki dalam menangani seksisme dan penyertaan mereka dalam gerakan feminisme. Boleh dikatakan bahawa tanggungjawab yang… Continue reading Laki-laki feminis, sila tampil ke hadapan

Malaysian feminism in 2012?

As I write this in Jakarta, my thoughts are about what we can do to get feminism buzzing in the Malaysian public discourse this year. When I say getting feminism in the Malaysian public discourse, I mean getthing people talking about feminism and gender inequality, and hopefully do something about gender and intersectional injustice. In… Continue reading Malaysian feminism in 2012?

Being gay in Malaysia: The myths and realities

In a class I was teaching recently about transgender identities in Indonesian films, I explained that Upi Avianto’s 2006 film Realita Cinta dan Rock n Roll broke the mould of many earlier Indonesian films depicting trans* people, as it featured a transwoman character who was a mother (played by action actor Barry Prima), who was… Continue reading Being gay in Malaysia: The myths and realities

Ada apa dengan bendera?

Disiarkan di Merdeka Review, tanggal 22 Desember 2011. Sejak usia remaja, saya pernah dinasihatkan oleh orang tua supaya jangan masuk campur dengan arena politik apabila dewasa kelak. Mengikut mereka, politik hanyalah “permainan kotor” yang menguntungkan politikus sahaja, lantas kepentingan rakyat sejagat jarang dipertimbangkan secara ikhlas. Setiap satu yang diberikan kepada rakyat diragut satu yang lain,… Continue reading Ada apa dengan bendera?

Why feminist blogging in Malaysia is important

One of the things I realised with great despair is that the vast majority of Malaysian feminists and supporters of gender equality are not interested in blogging and writing about their experiences within feminist and women’s rights movements in Malaysia, whether they’re coming from the inner sanctum of such movements or around its periphery. Why… Continue reading Why feminist blogging in Malaysia is important

‘Love’ mail I get

In this day and age, when you’re an academic it is always good to have information about your research interests published online. Who knows, you’ll get asked by the media to give your expert opinion on topics you know intimately about, prospective students become inspired by similar research and seek your consult, and then there’s… Continue reading ‘Love’ mail I get

Seksualiti Merdeka dan pengaruh homofobia Melayu

This is an article I wrote for Merdeka Review, published on 9th November 2011, commenting on the murkier aspects of the Malaysian public discourse surrounding the banning of Seksualiti Merdeka. Pengharaman Seksualiti Merdeka yang diumumkan secara tiba-tiba pada 3 November dan kecaman terhadap perasminya, Ambiga Sreenevasan, adalah satu lagi sejarah hitam dalam perjalanan Malaysia ke… Continue reading Seksualiti Merdeka dan pengaruh homofobia Melayu

Reggae Mansion: Blatant discrimination and exclusivity in the worst possible taste

I wrote and published this piece for Loyar Burok on 1st November, generating in what was a considerably powerful response from the Malaysian public online that resulted in the public dressing-down of Reggae Mansion via The Star newspaper. Suffice to say, this is testament to the fact that a successful link between online blogging and… Continue reading Reggae Mansion: Blatant discrimination and exclusivity in the worst possible taste