Gone: Pavithra's Cooking Videos On YouTube Amidst Domestic Abuse Case Against Sugu
All the videos from the wildly popular 'Sugu Pavithra' YouTube channel appear to have been deleted amidst a very public case of domestic abuse in which Sugu was charged with possession of a weapon and hurting his wife.
By Sadho Ram — 26 Jul 2020, 12:26 PM
Malaysians on Twitter are in shock after finding out that the 'Sugu Pavithra' YouTube channel no longer has any of the videos that they had come to find comfort in during the recent stay home orders
A check by SAYS showed that the popular channel with almost 800,000 subscribers, appears to have deleted its videos, 98 in total
The channel, Sugu Pavithra, was jointly run by 28-year-old S Pavithra and her 29-year-old husband M Sugu. It received widespread attention for its relaxing simplicity and easy-to-follow local recipes.
Its huge fanbase included Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has often referenced the channel in his recent speeches and sending the couple a special delivery, with a note: keep up the good work.
Until Saturday, 25 July, the channel had a total of 98 videos of cooking demonstrations and glimpses into the life of the soft-spoken Pavithra and her husband, who has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon, a 26-inch sickle, which he allegedly used to hit his wife earlier this week.
Pavithra reportedly sustained cuts and bruises to her face and lips during the assault.
Pavithra at the Magistrate Court in Ipoh on 24 July when Sugu claimed trial.
Image via Farhan Najib/Malay MailWhat happened?
It's anyone's guess as to who deleted the videos from the couple's YouTube channel.
About the very public case of their domestic abuse, though, it was reported that Sugu became aggressive because Pavithra had not mentioned his name when receiving an award earlier on Monday.
She was named 'Ipoh City Icon' by mayor Rumaizi Baharin. The title is exclusively given to Ipoh-born individuals in recognition of their successes and contribution to the city.
Harian Metro reported that Pavithra was at the hospital to visit a relative who was in labour. An unnamed source told the Malay daily that Sugu was believed to be drunk when he hit his wife.
"Around 5pm on the same day, the security guards were alerted by a nurse who said that a drunk man demanded to enter one of the hospital wards while holding a sickle," they added.
Pavithra was reportedly slapped several times in the face until her lips bled. An unnamed source told Sinar Harian that Pavithra's arm also became swollen from being hit with the sickle.
Following which, she contacted authorities and filed a police report against Sugu herself.
Pavithra, however, withdrew the report the next day on 22 July with Sugu's lawyer Mahinderjit Singh telling the Ipoh Magistrate Court that the case was just a misunderstanding between the couple.
On Friday, the YouTube cooking personality broke her silence about her husband, saying that she has forgiven him for assaulting her and that they want to move forward. The couple has two children.
Pavithra also renounced the 'Ipoh City Icon' as they are simply "ordinary people".
"We do not want to accept the 'Ipoh City Icon' award... we do not want that or any other award. We are only ordinary people, and we want to focus on our YouTube channel," she told reporters.
"We want to live a normal life like others. We want to focus on our family, that's all. We don't want to be recognised by others. Let us enjoy life like we used to before."
A photo of the couple with Pavithra appearing to smile as Sugu, who has been released on bail, held her close with his arm pressed around shoulder went viral on social media.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.
If you or anyone you know may be at risk of domestic violence, please call these Malaysian hotlines:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
24-hour | Contact: +603-79563488 | SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058 | Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Weekdays (9.30am - 4.30pm) | Contact: +603-78770224 | WhatsApp: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221 | Email: [email protected] | Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Weekdays (9am - 5pm) | Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340 | WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4390698 | Email: [email protected] | Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. TALIAN KASIH
24-hour | Contact: 15999 | WhatsApp: +6019-2615999 | Email: [email protected] | Website | Facebook
5. TELENISA LEGAL AID CLINIC
Weekdays (8am - 10pm) | Contact: +6011-23701006 | WhatsApp: +6011-23701006 | Email: [email protected] | Facebook | Twitter
