To all sisters out there, thinking about what happened to Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara, the 20-years-old university student that was found tragically dead in her Cyberjaya apartment, brings a heavy heart. The police recently confirmed that the cause of death was due to a blunt force trauma to the head while shutting down rumors of the sexual assault claims.
Three suspects were detained including one man and two women, who were known to Maniishapriet. It’s a terrifying thought that danger can happen anytime and anywhere, even with familiar people.
The truth is, danger in its many forms is a real concern for women in Malaysia. The Department of Statistics (DOSM) shows that overall assault cases increased from 10,348 in 2022 to 10,453 in 2023.
So, please always know your surroundings, be aware, while walking home, in a mall or even at your apartment. Trust your gut. If it feels dangerous, seek help and it help isn’t around, get out of the situation as fast as possible.
Be aware of who you surround yourself with. Don’t invite strangers into your home. Don’t get complacent; never ignore red flags from people or situations. If in trouble, make noise or draw attention – your safety is more important than politeness or embarrassment.
Beyond individual action, we must demand better collectively. Push for improved street lighting, stricter security from apartment management and launch public awareness campaigns. We need leaders to prioritise long-term prevention to build a society where violence is not tolerated.
Remember: you are stronger than you think you are. Maniishapriet story is a painful reminder of the vulnerability that we all face, especially women. Let this tragedy fuel our collective promise: to demand, to build and to be a safer Malaysia for every woman. We are in this together, sisters. Stay safe and stay empowered.
Umi Moslimi (umibasyirahhm@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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