I
was clearing the dried leaves outside our gate yesterday morning, a normal
Saturday evening or Sunday morning task. It was a bright sunny morning, even at
8. I was aware of a young man walking down and then I noticed that he turned
and retraced his steps. I was squatting down and concentrating on my task but
not totally absorbed that I was unaware. Then I heard a motorbike passed me. It
turned and the sound kept lingering. I was beginning to feel suspicious: why
did the motorbike still sound so close? Why hadn’t he driven off yet? Was the
rider lost? Or, were they planning to do some hanky-panky on me??
Before
I could turn, I felt myself being attacked from behind. I still have a shiver
running down my spine whenever I think of it. I struggled and I shouted
obscenities at my attacker and I fought to free myself. He had his hands around
my neck. I fell on my side to the road and scraped my left elbow and knee. I
continued shouting. They certainly picked their time well. The whole area was
deserted and devoid of people.
Then
suddenly my attacker jumped on the motorbike and they drove off. I could see
him from behind (I didn’t really notice the one who drove it). He had a slight
built – like a woman’s and has short hair. I ran after them and noted the
registration number: CAN2270. Then I ran back inside crying out for my dad
hysterically.
As
it turned out, they didn’t get my necklaces. They got about 3 inches off my
tennis necklace (I found out when I sent my necklace for repair) but both
necklaces broke and they slipped down my t-shirt. And they stayed there somehow
throughout my run into the garden through the kitchen and into the living area.
We
went to lodge a police report and the sergeant who then took my statement said
I did the right thing even though my attackers didn’t succeed in their attempt.
He said in any snatch theft incidents, the victims always get injured or hurt
and as such, he viewed snatch theft seriously. He pointed out that even though
the thugs weren’t successful with me, they might have vented their frustration
elsewhere on another victim. The police did a search and the motorbike, though
bearing a Pahang number, belonged to an Indian man in Ipoh. I told them I was
very sure the attackers were young Malay men, probably in their late-teens (or
perhaps still in school?) or early twenties. Damn you both to hell and back.
So
girls, remember, always be aware of your surroundings. Be alert on suspicious
characters. Make a note of as much as what you can see as possible. Equip
yourself (although in my defence, I was clearing the bloody leaves blowing from
my neighbour’s tree so no, I wasn’t equipped then). And even though you may
think it’s pointless, make a police report because it will help the police to
know the frequently-attacked areas, the statistics, the peak hour of attack,
etc etc.
This
is what happens when we not only refuse to implement God’s law but even mock
them. Hudud is only applicable to Muslims so non-Muslims should not be worried.
Facts must be established first before punishment can be meted out. God is not
cruel. It’s men, who are tasked to protect the women, who are cruel. For why
else would they attack the weaker sex without regard, thought and remorse?
I
kept hearing things throughout yesterday. Sounds that didn’t seem to belong
either in or outside the house. And I hate being made to feel angry about being
physically weaker. Had I been stronger, I would have attacked them back. Had I been
more quick-thinking, I would have thrown something at them to deter their
progress or even hurt them.
But
I am thankful. Thankful that God still loves and protects me. That the thugs
didn’t have their helmets with them or if they did, they didn’t use it to hit
me. That they didn’t come armed with knives or parang to hold against my neck
or to stab me with. That they didn’t have chloroform-soaked rag to render me
unconscious. That they didn’t strangle me half to death. And I’m glad I wore
gloves that helped conceal my wrists or they probably would have tried to get
my bracelets and bangles too.
And
don’t tell me women now have to stop wearing jewellery, that we must stop
toting our handbags and that we should live in fear of being a victim. We should
not let them rule our lives because our lives are not determined by them. I still
feel angry, I still feel somewhat spooked but I refuse to be scared. In fact, I
can’t seem to stop fantasising of how I could exact my revenge on them. I’d hit
them with a stick or throw something at them that would hurt them, make them lose
their balance and fell on the road. Let them see how fun that is when the table
is turned.
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