On 15th June, the daughter of Tan Sri Wong Mook Leong made a shocking report on her Facebook. She announced that she had been sexually harassed by a Chinese association leader, Mr. Yeo Kwi Seng (杨贵盛).
Although Veronica Wong (黄贝环) announced the matter on her Facebook earlier during the month, she only lodged a police complaint yesterday (27th June). The 50-year-old lawyer added she hoped her actions will raise awareness about the increase in violence against women.
According to Wong’s Facebook post, made on 16th June, she accused Yeo of harassing her via WhatApp messages and calls. Wong stated the messages were sexual in nature and included pornographic videos. She also included screenshots of the messages and videos.
Yeo denied her accusations saying the content was “just a joke among adults“. He clarified that they had been “studying the production techniques of (the) adult films“. Yeo added the pornographic videos were shared at her request. The Chinese association leader does not believe it can be constituted as sexual harassment. He stated Wong had not warned him off, nor blocked his phone number.
The incident brought additional trouble for Yeo. Shortly after Wong’s Facebook post, Yeo received calls from an unknown number demanding RM10,000 for their silence. The caller threatened to release evidence on Facebook if he did not pay. He reported the blackmail to the police on 17th June. Media outlets also stated he had resigned from his post at the Chinese association. However, he corrected the statement, saying he was on leave.
Prior to Wong’s police report, the 50-year-old released other pieces of evidence on her Facebook. She included screenshots of the numerous phone calls she had received from Yeo. Wong stated that her records showed other men calling her as well, however, she had not accused them of harassment. She also included a video showing the voice messages he had sent her. According to the voice messages, he had supposedly compared the sounds cats made to women.
Wong stated she hopes her actions will raise public awareness of the increase in violence against women. “Women use social media to name and shame their harassers, and I am a victim who took that step,” she said. “But not many do as they are scared of the consequences of speaking out.” Wong believes the government should table the Sexual Harassment Bill to raise the status and improve the well-being of women in Malaysia.
Yeo has not commented on Wong’s action nor has he remarked on the evidence she released on her Facebook.
You can listen to the voice messages here:
Sources: China Press, Sinchew, Facebook (1)(2), MalaysiaKini
