21 OCTOBER 2021
We, the undersigned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and individuals are highly concerned by the allegations of sexual and monetary misconduct happening at a government department, and demand an immediate response from the relevant authorities regarding this matter.
On 19 October 2021, a senior executive of the Sabah Wildlife Department’s Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) posted a Facebook photo of three young women with a caption using a derogatory term used to describe female dogs. The post was taken down shortly after with an amended caption and a short apology. However, new posts accusing the same senior executive of various misdeeds that had previously happened in the department, arose the same day.
Facebook user Carolina Zu, who is an ex-staff of the department, shared a letter that she had written on Facebook, addressed to the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) Director Augustine Tuuga on 5 July 2019 upon her resignation from the department. In her letter, she shared her disappointment of working in WRU, which she described as a “tense and hostile work environment”. She claimed that the funds were not properly allocated to necessary services, and salaries were not paid in full, while used lavishly on unnecessary and inappropriate expenses. She also highlighted several disturbing incidents of harassment and unethical behaviour, including name-calling. As to date, her post has been shared 440 times since being uploaded.
More incriminating information has just been released today (21 October 2021) on her Facebook, showing screenshots of inappropriate messages sent through WhatsApp.
We believe that this is cause for concern as this involves public funds. We are also concerned with the disrespectful behaviour and treatment towards women working in the department.
In light of the above, we strongly urge the Sabah government to investigate the claims in Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) and provide a proper response as this is a matter of public concern.
As Malaysia acceeded to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), necessary action needs to be taken to ensure women have the opportunity to work in a safe and respectful environment. In view of Malaysia recently winning a seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2022 – 2024 term, it is pertinent that the State shows serious commitment in upholding human rights.
Initiated by Society for Equality, Respect And Trust for All Sabah (SERATA) and the CSO Platform for Reform (Sabah Chapter), this statement is endorsed by a total of 35 CSOs and 288 individuals:
Organisations:
- All Women’s Action Society (AWAM)
- Advocates for Non-Discrimination and Access to Knowledge (ANAK)
- Belia di Bawah Bayu
- Borneo Speaks
- Cahaya Society
- Danau Girang Field Centre
- Enlight Malaysia
- EMPOWER
- ENGAGE
- Fitpro Empire
- Friends of the Orangutans (Malaysia)
- Future Alam Borneo
- Jaringan Ekologi dan Iklim
- Justice for Sisters
- Karisma Consulting & Services
- PACOS Trust
- PLUHO (People Like Us Hang Out!)
- Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam – KUASA
- Persatuan Sahabat Wanita Selangor
- POWER 63 PLT
- Sabah Human Rights Centre
- Sabah Reform Initiative (SARI)
- Sisters in Islam (SIS)
- Stateless Children Family Support Group
- Terabai Kenyalang Heritage Association of Sarawak (TKHAS)
- UndiSabah
- Women’s Aid Organisation (WAO)
- CSO Platform for Reform – Environment Cluster (BEACCH):
- Treat Every Environment Special Sdn Bhd
- SAVE Rivers
- ABIM
- Sustainable Development Network Malaysia (SUSDEN)
- Childline Foundation
- Toy Libraries Malaysia
- GRASS
- Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
Individuals:
- Harjinder Kler
- Angie S Chin
- Anna Iwankowska
- Dr. Zainal Zahari Zainuddin
- Harold Reagan Eswar
- Siti Nurafif Naim
- Sylvia Lim
- Beverly Joeman
- Jellferlyne Joseph
- Fazar Arif
- KC Kuan
- Mariani Ramli
- Andi Suraidah Bandy
- Adriel Darian Kiandee
- Nathan W
- Batrisyia Teepol
- Judith Robert
- Abraham Mathew
- Tracy Dukim
- Vyner Biujin
- Anna Lynn Abu Bakar
- Kay Ahmad
- Roshimah Rahman
- Priscilla Shim Siau Yii
- Anne Lasimbang
- Dr Valarmathy Vaiyavari
- Koh Jieh Long
- Lucas A
- Pravind Segaran
- Amanda Shia
- Mahadimenakbar Mohamed Dawood
- Sergio Guerrero Sanchez
- Liesbeth Frias
- Reza Singam
- Nur Athirah
- Richard Sebastian
- Shin Nyuk Yin
- Dylan Jefri Ong
- Nurhartini Kamalia Yahya
- Katie De Cruz
- Agnes Shin
- Milena Salgado Lynn
- Dr Anbarasu Ramalingam
- Jessica Carolina Zulueta Mendoza
- Bedley Asun
- Syed Zahidi bin Syed Alwee
- Jessica Emma
- Azlan Mohamed
- Tony Barry
- Wong Lok Jinn
- Ivy A
- Cynthia Petrus
- Ladyana George
- Munirah Samad
- Grace KC
- Lesther Herman
- Joyce Kabinchong
- Julia Fenesia
- Kim C
- James Robins
- Elvy Jahivit Toudi
- June Gerald Austin
- Sylvia Zeno
- Vanessa A
- Nigel Hicks
- Steven Cheah
- Cecilia Boklin
- Brenda Jaibol
- Mac Walter S.
- Renico James
- Jupri Bin Mohd Bani
- Kim Yip
- Ramesh ‘Zimbo’ Boonratana
- Jannie Lasimbang
- Rachel Meadows
- Rujilin Bte David Lanjob
- Fauziah Basri
- Chelvam U
- Dr. Meaghan Evans
- Jacqueline Lingham
- Siska Sulistyo
- Daphne Edward
- Daphne Pain
- Professor Benoit Goossens
- Tan Chong Hung
- Adrian Albert Francis
- Smita Jairam
- Elisa Panjang
- Baizurah Basri
- Soo Nyuk Tsen
- Georginia George
- Yen Chi Lok
- Ashraft Yusni
- Luei Jia Qi
- Joannie Jomitol
- Nur Alwanie Maruji
- Cynthia Ong
- Caroline Speller
- Gavin Jolis
- Lauren Gilhooly
- Shaznieffah Zakaria
- Miriam Kunde
- Sharifah Noor Hazimah
- Jacinta Gumbang
- Juriah Uda
- Macarena Gonzalez
- LC Peter
- Noor Amy Ajak
- Amanda Wilson
- Ephraim Evaristus J Laujang
- Rosie Moo
- Tracy Brookshaw
- Caesarea U
- Nurulalsah Hassan Alban
- Muhammad Faizuddin
- Dr Megan English
- Shana Khan
- Audrey A. Umbo
- Víctor Zenteno
- Davies A. Spiji
- Julie JIdwin
- Tan Hui Shim
- Monicca A
- Amaziasizamoria Jumail
- Elfiorena Farrel
- Aarston Friend
- Ellie Chung
- Julinah Jahin
- Timothy Chang
- Roshan Guharajan
- Tee Thye Lim
- Chiew Lin May
- Dania U
- Siti Fatimah
- Mohammad I.S. Mohammad Ali
- Tan Xuan Han
- Priscilla Grace Poul
- Justice Khor
- Ken Khoo
- Rose Nomura
- Julia N.S.C.
- Kushaal Selvarajah
- Darrel Webber
- Juanita Joseph
- Helen Chai
- Kerisha A
- Mardzuien Moksin
- Jason Teo
- Mazrul Mahadzir
- Natasha Joibi
- Joan Jomitol
- Ivy F. Yamuk
- Ashwita A
- Mark Louis Benedict
- Hazmilah Sulaiman
- Finenna Deirde Freddie
- Oliver Deppert
- Anisa Yasmin Fadhil
- Jacqualine Henry Ripan
- Roslina Ragai
- Lily Sir
- Mona M C
- Amanda Nayra
- Philovenny Pengiran
- Gregory Henry Ripan
- Achier Chung
- Melanie Chu
- Andrew Aeria
- Nithisha U
- Beverly Victior
- Gloria Ganang
- Nora Arin
- Qyira Yusri
- Cherlanne Patrick
- Iris Jim
- River Mcdonald
- Musa Muchtar
- Erveana Ansari
- Jaswinder Kler
- Faranieyza A
- Harbiah Arman
- Mellona Mydin
- Candia Novaro
- Ana Jonessy
- Clement A
- Jim Jameison
- Aniza Mahyudin
- Wong Siew Te
- Jen Rustom
- Lee Foo Khong
- Jerlyn Joan Jenius
- Stephanie Santigo
- Sumira Muis
- Nizam Andan
- Chloe Tiffany Lee
- Tan Su Lin
- Bryan A
- Cheryl Cheah
- Rojaniah Jawalani
- Syafiq Ho Abdullah
- Zyee Faiezah Dullie Marie
- Sami Asad
- Dairysia Anthony Yukin
- Ibrahem Wasti
- Shirley Soh
- Asmina binti Asmar
- Amelia Joyce Philip
- Danica Stark
- Kasturi U
- Catherine. E. Marcus
- Anne Baltazar
- Gracy Nealda A Dukim
- Nurzhafarina Othman
- Dr Nicola Abram
- Ryan Ong
- Afiqah Adam
- Jenna Kulai
- Tajul Arosh
- Siaw Shing Pau Johnson Jenoven
- Koh Pei Hue
- Clive W
- Yeoh Boon Nie
- Glen Reynolds
- Katie King
- John Payne
- Ahmad Zafir Abdul Wahab
- Patricia Peter
- Vicculter Denius
- Max Donysius
- Raymond J
- Engelbert Dausip
- Yap Jo Leen
- Sabrina Melisa Aripen
- Robert Nicholas Hii
- Hayley A
- Ain Najma Binti Hashim
- Sherrie Pui
- Fazilah Binti Shahren
- Shirley Chee
- Nelly Peter
- Liaane U
- Rojieka Mahin
- Kristey Selva
- Saverinus Kitingan
- Kelly A
- Russell Rohny
- Dr. Marysia James
- SM Muthu
- Melda Ariff
- Anna Burrows
- Elbatius Sikul
- Noor A
- Rosli Omar
- Janet G
- Peter Lagan
- Yvonne Chong
- Jeremy Jeffrey
- Ernie U
- Maisa Mohamad
- Jocelyn Goon
- Maria A
- Joan George
- Shima Hasbullah
- Muhammad Adzmin Ab Fatta
- Jain Yassin
- Jocelyn Stokes
- Melissa C
- Nikkhil Nair
- Sara Fell Hicks
- Adi Shabrani
- Emelda A
- Audra Anne Webber
- Raj Kumar
- Belle Chong
- John Japli
- Lim Chee Han
- Teoh Shu Woan
- Stephen Anthonysamy
- Nathaniel U
- Myra Yvette
- Kertijah Adbul Kadir
- Jefferi Chang
- Olivia A
- Maznah Sumaila
- Dexter David George
- Lisa Burtenshaw
- Upreshpal Singh
- Roger Munns
- Penny Gardner
- Siti Aisyah Bt Zainal Abidin
- Wendy Chew
- Melissa Lim
- Gill van der Drift
- Abdul Hamid Ahmad
- Cynthia Chin
- Nattana Simon
- Ivy A
- Mallory Wilson
- Denis U
- Rosnani Rithwan
- Erica Choong
- Arifah Sharifuddin
- Shu Zhan Lai
- Melissa A
- Loh Sim Yean
- Muhammad Khan