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President Halimah Yacob has asked for podcast OKLetsGo to "sincerely and humbly apologise to all women."

Her views on the popular but highly polarising podcast were made in a Facebook post on June 15, 2020.

Halimah said that children, especially boys, should be taught from young to respect women, highlighting the increasing trend of domestic violence during the pandemic.

The responsibility falls on everyone, she added — especially those who have great influence through social media.

The president then expressed her concern about the podcast, and asserted that "women are not objects to be made fun of, ridiculed and trampled upon".

She added that the programme takes "cheap pot shots" at women to boost ratings or for comedic effect, an offensive act that cannot be justified as a conversation starter or freedom of speech.

Halimah then asked for the podcast to apologise for their remarks about women.

"Hence, the Podcast OkLetsGo should sincerely and humbly apologise to all women for their offensive, humiliating and misogynistic remarks on their podcasts about women. I received so many emails from very concerned people. They worry about the kind of values that are being promoted among the young, and their concerns are justified.

It's not ok to treat women like dirtbags and punching bags."

She concluded her post by emphasising that the women in Singapore are important in building healthy communities, and that they do not deserve such treatment by OkLetsGo or any other group.

The podcast team

The hosts of OkLetsGo comprises three former Mediacorp deejays: Dzar Ismail, 34, Raja Razie, 38, and Dyn Norahim, 38.

The first episode aired on Feb. 2, 2019, and has since gone on to become the number one podcast on Spotify.

The programme has recently come under fire for its sexist and misogynistic remarks.

Many on Twitter have explained what exactly is it that makes them uncomfortable.

Sorry my essay very long but I’m tired of this OLG bullshit pic.twitter.com/yWLfvYE9uL

— zahrah but with antlers (@anaktanduk) June 12, 2020

https://twitter.com/anygalien/status/1270236113618137088

https://twitter.com/malyxsa/status/1270010641378537472

we can go on and on about OLG but the thing is: they don't even see how or why their content is problematic. they don't understand it, they don't want to understand it, and anyone who offers criticisms are just "haters"

— 𝕽𝖊𝖒𝖞 𝕯𝖆𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖗 (@hellyeahfahmi) June 12, 2020

On June 13, the team acknowledged the backlash they had been getting, but did not apologise.

Top image via OKLETSGO and Halimah Yacob's Facebook page