Seniwati Solidarity, a coalition of Malaysian artists, gathered at Dataran Merdeka on October 11 to challenge sexual violence in the arts. This piece covers how the group formed, its five demands and what it plans next.
On Sunday, October 11, a coalition of Malaysian artists calling itself Seniwati Solidarity (seniwati means female artist in Malay) gathered at Dataran Merdeka. The group’s Instagram post invited people to the 10am gathering with the words “Calling all seniwatis and survivors.” Predators are present on screens, on stages and in schools, it said, and the event was a stand against them and the systems that enable them in arts spaces and beyond.
via @seniwati.my on Instagram
Musician Takahara Suiko, the coalition’s spokesperson, told Eksentrika the aim is to tell victims they do not have to stay quiet. Her message, in Malay: “Dah cukup,” or “enough is enough.”
What sparked the movement
Takahara publicly criticised a male musician over remarks she said fed rape culture. Her inbox then filled with private messages describing alleged sexual assault in the arts scene. According to Eksentrika, the messages described alleged molestation by audience members at concerts, the sharing of explicit videos, and rape. Some named well-known figures in music and theatre. By Takahara’s account, some of those accused are so famous their faces appear on billboards and television, so survivors keep seeing their abuser and can be retraumatised.
Some alleged victims were university students, and some incidents took place at sanctioned events on campus. Witnesses often excused or shielded the people accused, and there are many stories involving band frontmen and members with no action taken.
These accounts have not been verified, and no names have been made public. Many senders were afraid to speak out. Some people also keep working with accused individuals because their livelihoods depend on those relationships.
Takahara began posting about the issue through infographics and videos, and others who wanted to help joined her. Eksentrika lists the coalition’s members as Adelia Khalid, founder of
the arts collective Seniwati, Effa Qamariani, Tengku Hadhira Tengku Ab Hadi, Cheryl Lee Yesudas, Noel Ng Nuobei, Mohani Niza, Qistina Shariff and yon.taufu. It says they bring expertise in law, advocacy, event coordination and organising.
Her advice to survivors
In a post on her own account before the gathering, Takahara wrote that survivors would find solace and solidarity there. The group also had information for those who want to act, such as filing a police report or a complaint with the Anti-Sexual Harassment Tribunal, and survivors would not have to do it alone. Their burden is shared by the group, the post said.
Survivors were advised not to reveal their abusers’ names publicly, for their own safety, and to consult the group instead. Abuse and harassment can affect anyone of any gender, the post said, and is about power over someone the abuser sees as lesser. It closed with “They want us to be quiet? We’ll be louder,” and the hashtags #RageAgainstRape and #DestroyThePyramid.
Via @j_hnny.nef on Instagram
The five demands
In another Instagram post, captioned “Here’s to safer spaces and safer stages,” the group listed five demands:
- Accountability: hold all perpetrators of violence in the arts sector accountable, with appropriate and proportionate punishment, and ensure it is not repeated.
- Procedure: arts organisations, institutions, collectives, festivals and funding bodies should set up clear, strong SOPs and guidelines.
- Awareness: raise awareness of violence in the sector by examining its power structures, hierarchies and alliances.
- Recourse: give survivors resources, strict confidentiality and protection from retaliation, whether or not they report. This includes affordable legal help, psychosocial support, counselling and referrals.
- Empower: survivors should take part in developing policies and mechanisms, and should not be punished for speaking out.
Via @seniwati.my on instagram
A survey of eight arts sectors
One of the coalition’s first projects is the Pentas Protection Program, a survey of safety and abuse across eight arts sectors. Adelia Khalid told Eksentrika it is modelled on earlier research, including a WOMEN:girls survey of gender-based bullying in Malaysian schools.
It has gathered fewer than 100 responses so far. Theatre has the most reported incidents, followed by film and visual arts. Most respondents were between 18 and 24 when it happened. The group aims for 30 to 50 responses per sector and a minimum of about 240 overall. Respondents report anonymously through a secure link and can also name alleged perpetrators. The group planned to share more about the survey at the gathering to reach more respondents. The sources do not say how reports naming individuals will be handled.
Adelia has worked in youth and feminist advocacy for six years, and her main concern is making sure arts students have safety measures and resources before they enter the industry. To her, the gathering is both a protest and a reminder that no one is alone
The “Not All Men” Argument
Sinar Daily’s report, published October 12, described the gathering as an initial step toward raising awareness of sexual violence in the arts industry and empowering survivors to seek help. Its headline says the coalition seeks legal reforms and stronger support for survivors. The group’s five published demands, listed above, do not name a specific law.
A second Sinar Daily report said rally participants called for greater accountability, more open conversations about sexual harassment, and stronger education on empathy and respect to challenge misogyny, so that survivors are not left to face it alone. They said the “not all men” argument shifts attention away from survivors.
Takahara, 36, told Sinar Daily the problem extends to people who enable abuse and who keep giving platforms to individuals facing multiple allegations. “I always go back to the pyramid of abuse,” she said. Some women enable it too, including some who stay silent because they depend on their abusers financially.
1,038 Sexual Assault Cases in 2025
Malaysia’s Anti-Sexual Harassment Act 2022 set up a tribunal for complaints. Utusan reported that recorded sexual harassment cases rose to 1,038 in 2025 from 788 the year before.
Takahara says reporting remains hard. She described a case told to her of a foreign woman who waited hours at a hospital before she could make a police report, then returned home without reporting. This is her account and has not been verified.
A framework for accountability
Beyond the gathering, the group plans a longer-term framework. It is exploring survivor support during reporting, better access to existing complaint mechanisms, and proposals for NGOs, government agencies and lawmakers. Takahara said the group is working on several fronts at once and cannot say what will come first or when. She said it is prepared to continue for five or 10 years if needed.
As of October 12, we found no response from the government or any ministry. The individuals Takahara describes have not been named, so none has responded.
The coalition is still recruiting volunteers and shares updates on Instagram at @seniwati.my.
If you or someone you know needs help, call Talian Kasih at 15999 (WhatsApp 019-261 5999, 24 hours) or the Women’s Aid Organisation hotline at 03 3000 8858 (WhatsApp 018 988 8058) or fill out Seniwati survivors survey anonymously.
Submit your story to ym.efillaerni@olleh and you may be featured on In Real Life Malaysia.
Read also: ‘I gave up my family to pursue my dreams’ Shares 34 YO M’sian woman – In Real Life
https://inreallife.my/i-gave-up-my-family-to-pursue-my-dreams-shares-34-yo-msian-woman/
‘I gave up my family to pursue my dreams’ Shares 34 YO M’sian woman
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