Making stalking a crime

Threatened, followed and abused: News that the government has begun early discussions on introducing an anti-stalking law will be a relief to stalking victims who face not only anxiety and depression but also the loss of jobs and friends.

WRITING down the details of Zara Tan’s complaint, the female police officer broke off and suddenly asked why the victim didn’t just go back to her “sweet and loving” ex-boyfriend.

By that point, Tan had made five reports to Malaysian police detailing how her abusive former boyfriend had stalked her over a one-year period. During this nightmare time, Tan was threatened, followed, harassed at home and work, she lost two jobs and her business, and was sent a daily barrage of abusive and obscene e-mails, text messages and phone calls.