Malaysian party veterans under fire for sanitary pad stunt
Members of the Negeri Sembilan Democratic Action Party (DAP) Veterans Club in Malaysia drew flak over a stunt where they covered their faces with sanitary pads to oppose the nomination of an “outsider” as senator.
About 50 veterans on Sunday, August 3, participated in the demonstration, objecting to the reported nomination of Datuk Vincent Wu Him Ven from Johor to represent the nearby state of Negeri Sembilan in the Dewan Negara, or Senate.
Wu is expected to replace A Kesavadas Nair, whose two-term limit ends this month.
The stunt sparked public backlash and criticism from party officials, prompting an apology from state veterans club chairperson Lee Kong Hing.
"I have no intention to insult women, and I respect women,” Lee said in an interview with Sin Chew Daily. “I used sanitary pads as a tool and hope that everyone does not misinterpret my intention.”
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke called the act “inappropriate” and “insensitive,” stressing that internal party concerns should be addressed through proper channels.
The stunt also reinforced the stigma on menstruation, especially in a developing country like Malaysia, where poverty is a hindrance to affording menstrual products, said Deputy Communications Minister and Wanita DAP chief Teo Nie Ching.
“Yet, here they are wasting large quantities of sanitary pads just to mock their political rivals," she said.
Lee explained that he had considered three props and chose sanitary pads for their airtight quality, symbolising what he described as the silence of 19 state DAP committee members on the matter.
"After the incident, some leaders called to express their concern, and a few women also called me. They didn't think the item was harmful to women," he said.
Malaysia is home to 16.9 million women, accounting for 46.7% of its population, according to 2024 World Bank data.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
