#UndiRosak supporters beset by cyberbullies

Target: Lee believes she bore the brunt of attacks because she is female, young and single.

PETALING JAYA: Vocal supporters of #UndiRosak became the target of hate in cyberspace soon after the controversial campaign gained traction among disillusioned voters.

For 26-year-old Maryam Lee, sleepless nights followed after she spoke at a forum on the campaign two weeks ago.

Sexist remarks such as “whore”, “slut” and other name-calling were just the tip of the iceberg for Maryam, who even received death threats on social media.

“I will find you and cut you into half,” read a message sent by an unknown Facebook user.

“There are even sexually explicit pictures. My face was superimposed on porn stars,” Maryam told The Star.

Maryam, a programme manager for interfaith dialogue outfit Projek Dialog, said she has been forced to take extra precautions whenever she goes out in public.

“My movements are now limited. I don’t go anywhere public if it’s not necessary. I only go to work and I meet people in safe places. But I’m not afraid for my life yet,” she said.

Aside from attacks by keyboard warriors, Maryam has also been targeted by other activists.

“These are professionals with large followings. So, it got me really curious because these are supposedly educated people and still, they could stoop this low.

“One even said I should go for mental therapy and I thought that was really mean.

“How can she assume there’s something wrong with me mentally?” Maryam said.

While other #UndiRosak activists have also been attacked, Maryam said she bore the brunt of it because she is female, young and single.

“It’s like bullying a child. I find it heartbreaking and depressing.

“But I can’t let it get in the way of my work. Otherwise, how am I supposed to make a living?

“Like it or not, I still have to keep on going,” she added.

The Star also met with Hafidz Baharom, a political columnist and a vocal supporter of #UndiRosak.

Some of the nasty remarks he has received include “Who’s that big fat guy in the big T-shirt?” and “I’m going to kill both your parents in front of you and make you watch”.

This happened soon after Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia supreme council member Tariq Ismail created the hashtag #OtakRosak (brain damage) in a strongly-worded Facebook posting in response to the #UndiRosak movement.

“He (Tariq) has since apologised and I’ve accepted it. But the damage has been done,” Hafidz said.

“Unfortunately, the attacks haven’t stopped. It’s still going around,”.

Hafidz, however, was unfazed by the threats and insults, dismissing them as just words by “loudmouths on Twitter”.

“I don’t see it as a credible threat so I’m fine. It’s just lots of name-calling and fake Facebook pictures.

“I don’t take it personally and I just laugh it off,” he said.

Hafidz said amateur political commentators should not resort to cyberbullying to justify their views.

“Instead, we should discuss it rationally and I think this is something Pakatan (Harapan) supporters don’t understand,” he added.