MP Zainudin
Nordin's Facebook post has drawn flak from netizens.
Member of Parliament
Zainudin Nordin has drawn flak for posting on his Facebook page a
fantasy author’s quote equating gang rape to the exercise of
democracy.
The MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC was criticised by people online for
being rude, offensive and insensitive after he posted on Monday a
quote from “Sword of Truth” fantasy series author Terry Goodkind
with the line "Gang rape, after all, is democracy in
action."
The controversial statement prompted a flurry of over 140 comments,
most of them expressing outrage.
"Even if you did not say that yourself, it is still a very
dangerous statement to quote. I simply do not understand why you
chose to quote such a thing. Shame on you," posted Facebook user
Joel Yap.
Another Facebook comment by Pauline Leong called the quote "truly,
highly offensive" and demanded an apology or explanation from
Nordin, while Freya Cyen accused him of being "unable to
differentiate democracy, human rights and freedom."
Nominated Member
of Parliament Lina Chiam of the Singapore People's Party on
Wednesdayreleased a statement on the
issue, asking Nordin to "retract his statement and
apologise to women in Singapore."
"In Singapore, we aspire to be a nation that is free to consider
and tolerate different opinions in business, academic, political
and to some extent religious spheres. However, we clearly need to
avoid outrageously chauvinistic statements that condone rape
culture. This is not a tall order, and our leaders should observe
this. I therefore regret that the MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh Mr
Zainudin Nordin has reproduced on his Facebook page an abhorent
quotation which characterises gang rape as 'democracy in action',"
read the release on SPP's Facebook page.
MP Zainudin
Nordin's Facebook post has drawn flak from netizens.
Member of Parliament
Zainudin Nordin has apologised for aposting on his Facebook page
a fantasy author’s quote equating gang rape to the exercise of
democracy.
In an e-mail to The Straits Times, Nordin said that the quote,
though "provocative", was one of many he has posted as he had found
it interesting.
The MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC was criticised by people online for
being rude, offensive and insensitive after he posted on Monday a
quote from “Sword of Truth” fantasy series author Terry Goodkind
with the line "Gang rape, after all, is democracy in
action."
In his e-mail explanation, Nordin added that "my only intent was to
present my view that each individual has a choice and each decision
comes with tremendous responsibilities".
He said to follow a majority mob might be democracy, but it is
"democracy in its basest form" and "as a part of the quote says,
and I agree: Democracy in and of itself is not necessarily
good."
Nordin also told The Straits Times that he "never for a moment
intended to offend anyone" and "I apologise sincerely for the
unintended offence which the posting has caused."
The controversial statement, posted on Monday, had prompted a
flurry of over 140 comments, most of them expressing
outrage.
"Even if you did not say that yourself, it is still a very
dangerous statement to quote. I simply do not understand why you
chose to quote such a thing. Shame on you," posted Facebook user
Joel Yap.
Another Facebook comment by Pauline Leong called the quote "truly,
highly offensive" and demanded an apology or explanation from
Nordin, while Freya Cyen accused him of being "unable to
differentiate democracy, human rights and freedom."
Nominated Member
of Parliament Lina Chiam of the Singapore People's Party on
Wednesdayreleased a statement on the
issue, asking Nordin to "retract his statement and apologise to
women in Singapore."
"In Singapore, we aspire to be a nation that is free to consider
and tolerate different opinions in business, academic, political
and to some extent religious spheres. However, we clearly need to
avoid outrageously chauvinistic statements that condone rape
culture. This is not a tall order, and our leaders should observe
this. I therefore regret that the MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh Mr
Zainudin Nordin has reproduced on his Facebook page an abhorent
quotation which characterises gang rape as 'democracy in action',"
read the release on SPP's Facebook page.
