RDU's Liyana Dhamirah files police report over online harassment, including comments with 'racist & sexist undertones'

Red Dot United's (RDU) Liyana Dhamirah has filed a police report following online harassment amid the general election this year.

She noted that several comments on the party's social media accounts were "hateful", with some having "racist and sexist undertones".

The 38-year-old is part of the RDU team that will be contesting Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

In a Facebook post on Apr. 24, Liyana said that she decided not to stay silent and instead "speak up" for the Malay community and marginalised women.

"Such hateful public discourse does nothing for any racial group, minority or majority. It has no place in the Singapore society I want to build," she said.

Liyana said she received several comments that were false, racist, and sexist, including comments like "are you the one I paid in Ringgit in Malaysia KFC last week".

RDU's statement

In a statement to the media, the party said that, Liyana was targeted after videos of their party’s recent press conference were shared on social media.

The comments she received included "mocking references to her religious attire, derogatory remarks about her faith, and demeaning language grounded in racial and gender stereotypes," they said.

"These were not veiled jabs—they were blatant, offensive attacks on her identity as a Malay-Muslim woman."

RDU declared their condemnation of the "racially and religiously insensitive attacks," which they said have no place in the country's "public discourse or democratic process".

While the investigation lies in the police's hands, they urged the public to "push back firmly against those who seek to demean or divide us along lines of race or religion".

Top photo from Khine Zin Htet/Mothership and Liyana Dhamirah/Facebook