THE Women and Community Development Ministry has set up a hotline and a direct message helpline for victims of domestic abuse during the movement-control order (MCO) period, said senior minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob today.

“Call Talian Kasih at 15999 or WhatsApp 0192615999 immediately if you face domestic abuse.

“The ministry has set up the helpline with the cooperation from the police. Your complaints will be directed to the cops and you can lodge a police report using the WhatsApp number,” Ismail Sabri said during his daily press briefing.

The women’s ministry has come under fire lately for suggesting wives to be patient with their abusive partners.

Sisters in Islam (SIS) yesterday condemned deputy minister Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff over a controversial video that suggests women to “accept, remain patient and forgive” their abusive spouses.

SIS called the message in the video unacceptable and unbecoming of a public official in a ministry tasked to protect women.

Siti Zailah, a deputy minister from PAS, was said to have advised handling stress for married couples locked down under the MCO.

According to The Malay Mail, she said wives should think of the husband’s “1,000 strengths”, say thank you and forgive each other. For Muslims, she suggested they take their ablution to calm down when feeling angry.

Prior to this the same ministry suggested women use the voice of children’s cartoon character Doraemon when asking for a favour from their husbands.

The second suggestion has since been taken down and the ministry was forced to apologise for coming up with such a proposal to avoid conflict between married couples. – April 12, 2020.