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Recently, TheRealNehruism wrote an opinion piece saying the takedown of Dolla’s music video was a clash of values - a fight between artistic expression and cultural morality. He argued it was about censorship and religious influence.
I think the problem is deeper than that. Because this isn’t just about censorship. It isn’t just about morality. And it definitely isn’t just about Dolla.
Malaysia has a long, exhausting history of scrutinising, moralising, and policing women’s bodies. Whether she’s a singer, an athlete, a politician, or even a schoolgirl - a Malaysian woman’s body is never simply hers. Every time a woman shows skin, suddenly her body becomes a national debate.
Why this is bigger than one girl group
We’ve seen this many times. When singer Nabila Razali wore a sheer blouse with a nude underlay, she got flooded with comments like “shameful” and “men will see something else.”
When Datuk Syafinaz Selamat performed on TV in a lace top and corset, the conversation wasn’t about her talent - it was about her outfit.
And when singer Masya Masyitah removed her hijab, the backlash was huge. She said it was her personal choice, but many treated it like she had betrayed her role as a proper Muslim woman.
Female athletes experience it too. Weightlifter Fatin Nur Ain Ramli - better known as “Ain Sado” - was criticised for her tight sportswear - not her achievements, not her discipline, not her strength. Just her body shape.
Even top students aren’t spared. SPM high achiever Natasha Qisty Mohd Ridzuan received more comments about her appearance and the way she spoke than her academic results.
The double standard
Here’s the part that doesn’t make sense. When male performers take off their shirts on stage, no one cries about culture or morals. But let a woman wear something backless, sleeveless, or sheer, and suddenly everyone becomes a “guardian of values.”
We say we are protecting women. But actually, we are controlling them. Their modesty becomes everybody’s business. Their outfits become a national issue. Their bodies become public property.
In Malaysia, women carry a heavier cultural burden. They are expected to maintain Malay values, behave modestly, and dress properly. If they choose clothes some people don’t like, they are accused of promoting immorality or destroying culture.
How many male artists face this level of pressure? Very few. Because in our society, culture and morality are placed on women’s bodies, not men’s.
Hypocrisy in the name of values
The rules aren’t even consistent. Look again at the backlash toward Masya’s hijab removal. It wasn’t a crime. It wasn’t a political statement. It was her personal decision - but it became a national debate because many people feel they have the right to dictate a woman’s appearance.
Activist Maryam Lee said it clearly when she took off her hijab: our society uses religion to pressure women into behaving a certain way. It’s not about faith. It’s about control.
And the impact on young girls today? They grow up thinking their bodies are dangerous. That showing skin is shameful. That expressing themselves will invite judgement, bullying - maybe even threats.
When girls are taught to fear their bodies, they stop exploring who they are. They hide. They shrink. They silence themselves to stay “safe.”
This is not protection. This is harm.
So what now?
We keep saying we want to protect women’s dignity. But dignity does not come from policing. Real respect comes from trusting women - trusting their choices, trusting their intelligence, trusting them to know what’s best for themselves.
This brings us back to the current Dolla issue. When leaders publicly thank corporations for taking down women’s content because of their clothing, what message does that send?
It tells every Malaysian girl that her value is still tied to how she dresses. It tells women their bodies are political tools. It tells the world that we’re moving backwards, not forward.
If this continues, no woman - artist or not - will ever feel truly safe expressing herself.
So where are the voices that should matter?
Where is the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry? Where is the Youth and Sports Ministry - the ministry that should protect and empower young Malaysians?
Women deserve leaders who speak up for them, not leaders who shame them.
If we are serious about moving forward as a nation, then we must stop treating women’s bodies as battlegrounds.
Let women be. Let them grow. Let them own their bodies. That is how we truly respect women - not by policing them, but by trusting them.
Fa Abdul (fa.abdul.penang@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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