Describing the videos as “abhorrent”, the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) said Siti Zailah was a deputy minister who was supposed to uphold equality and the rights of women to protection and safety.
“Her advice denies women the right to equality, their right to dignity and to be free from degrading treatment. It is grossly in error and a demonstration of failed leadership.
“The deputy minister must step down for normalising domestic violence, which is a crime in Malaysia, as well as for perpetuating ideas and behaviour that are opposed to gender equality,” it said in a statement today.
JAG also urged women, family and community development minister Rina Harun and Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to take immediate action on the matter.
This comes following Siti Zailah’s video clips advising husbands to use a “gentle but firm physical touch” to reprimand their wives.
She had also urged women to take a softer approach with their husbands. Among her other tips were counselling, sleeping separately for three days and praying.
Siti Zailah has been heavily criticised by various groups and individuals since the release of the video clips two days ago.
Former Islamic affairs minister Mujahid Yusof Rawa had earlier said Siti Zailah was “clueless” about her role as the deputy minister in charge of women’s development, and she should be focused on policy and issues like domestic violence, child marriage and social illnesses.
Women’s rights NGO Sisters in Islam (SIS) also called out Siti Zailah for being ignorant on the problems women faced.
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