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MPs apologise for
sexist remark in Parliament
©The Sun (Used
by permission)
R. Surenthira Kumar
Fong: MPs' apology to women insincere
KUALA LUMPUR (May 18, 2007): Ten days after making a sexist remark in
Parliament, the two "bocor" MPs relented to the furore of women in the country
and apologised.
Emerging from a 40-minute meeting with Women, Family and Community Development
Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil this morning, both said they apologise
to all women in the country if their remarks had insulted them.
However, Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) and Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN-Jasin)
refused to refer to Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) when asked whether the apology
was also extended to her (Fong).
Bung had in the Dewan Rakyat on May 9 remarked that Fong also "leaked every
month" (in apparent reference to women's menstrual cycle) during a heated debate
on Parliament House's leaky roof.
A recording of the event showed Bung saying: "Mana bocor, Batu Gajah pun
tiap-tiap bulan pun bocor juga (Where is the leak? Batu Gajah MP also leaks
every month." Mohd Said then supported Bung.
The Cabinet had on Wednesday (May 16) discussed the "bocor" issue and mandated
Shahrizat to handle the matter today.
Shahrizat told reporters: "Both MPs raised their hands to indicate they
surrender when they stepped into my office. Before I could say anything, they
apologised and gave an assurance it will not happen again."
The minister, who was not her usual smiling self, looked stern throughout her
press briefing. She did not even smile for press photographers.
Shahrizat said sexist remarks in any form, made by men or women, by
representatives of the Government or the Opposition, are unacceptable.
"I told the two MPs of my ministry's unflinching stand on the issue and reminded
them not to repeat it in future, especially in Parliament.
"If I was in parliament on that day (May 9), I would have stood up and demanded
for an explanation, " she said, adding she will inform Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the meeting and its outcome.
"As they (the two MPs) have tendered their public apology to the women of
Malaysia, through this ministry, we must have the grace to accept it with a
serious reminder that this kind of episode must never recur," she said.
For the past 10 days, non-governmental organisations, especially those related
to women affairs, had issued press statements to censure the MPs, demanding for
an apology.
Bung said: "I also have a wife and a daughter. I humbly ask for the forgiveness
of all women across the country if they felt they were insulted by my remarks.
"Mohd Said and I came to meet the minister with a sense of responsibility and
repentance. It should not have been an issue at all, but it was highlighted by
the media ... dragging all the women nationwide into the issue.
"With the apology, I hope the DAP will not continue to harp on the issue. Stop
selling old newspapers, it's not in demand anymore."
Mohd Said said: "I clasp my 10 fingers and extend my apologies if the 'bocor'
remark had hurt the feelings of women or any other party."
Reading out a prepared statement, Mohd Yusof said he regretted the May 9
incident in the Dewan Rakyat which he alleged was manipulated by certain
parties.
The whole incident, he said, was turned into a negative affair and did not
reflect the true situation.
"I was only defending matters concerning the Barisan Nasional which the
Opposition had ridiculed and made baseless accusations," he said.
The Opposition, he further alleged, in their debates in the parliament which
also saw them using 'impolite' words, often touched on his integrity as an MP.
Claiming he has never put women down, Mohd Yusof said women's associations in
his constituency have been given allocations.
"I have succeeded in creating women entrepreneurs in the agriculture industry in
Jasin, especially among 62 single mothers," he added.
Mohd Yusof however reiterated the issue was not in any way related to
discrimination against the women or MPs being insensitive to the gender issue,
but that it was a plot by the Opposition to run down the government's agenda.
Both MPs then hurriedly left the press conference in the lobby of the ministry
and declined to answer questions fielded by reporters.
"Sorry, we have to leave ... I have a flight to catch," said Bung Mokhtar before
he and Mohd Yusof shoved their way through the media gathering.
During the press conference, a three-member DAP team, led by secretary-general
Lim Guan Eng, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Fong handed over a one-page memorandum
to Shahrizat's press secretary.
The DAP memorandum:
BY HAND
Y.B. Dato' Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil
Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga Dan Masyarakat
Aras 1-6, Blok E
Kompleks Pejabat Kerajaan Bukit Perdana
Jalan Dato' Onn
50515 Kuala Lumpur
Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri,
10-Point Resolution To Uphold Women's Dignity Towards A First World Parliament
We are instructed by the participants and the major women organisations at a
"Uphold Women's Dignity, Towards A First World Parliament" forum in YMCA Hall in
Brickfields Kuala Lumpur on 17th May to convey the following 10 points for
immediate action from YB during the meeting with YB Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN
- Kinabatangan) and YB Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN - Jasin) at 10 am today.
1) That the meeting OBSERVES that the remarks on 9 May 2007 in Parliament by
both BN MPs against YB Fong Poh Kuan (DAP - Batu Gajah) while they were in a
heated argument over the ceiling leakage in the Parliament building, is highly
offensive and demeaning towards all women as well as a form of sexual harassment
towards YB Fong in her performance of her duties.
2) FURTHER OBSERVES that both BN MPs have a dismal record as a serial offender
of sexist remarks that displayed outright contempt, mockery and even hostility
towards women.
3) AFFIRMS that Parliament should be a forum for serious discussion where issues
that affect Malaysians and the country's future in a reasoned and rational
manner instead of being perverted to spew demeaning insults based on one's race,
gender or religion.
4) HEREBY RESOLVES that YB seeks that:-
a) both MPs unconditionally and unreservedly withdraw and apologise to both YB
Fong Po Kuan and all women for such unacceptable behaviour that is contrary to
social, cultural and religious norms of Malaysian society; and
b) severe penalties be meted out against both BN MPs in the form of suspension
for a period of 6 months as a Member of Parliament, 6 months community service
in a women NGO, 6 months MP's allowance be donated to women NGO groups and be
stripped of their Datukships;
c) both MPs be required to attend counseling to remove their innate hostility
and prejudice against women;
d) a Cabinet Committee on Gender Equality and a Parliament Caucus on Gender
Equality be established to remove discriminatory practices both in and outside
Parliament;
e) a full apology be made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak,
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Nazri Aziz and UMNO MPs for
Petrajaya, Tangga Batu, Johor Baru for defending both MPs, looking at it from a
humorous perspective and promoting their right to utter such offensive language
as freedom of speech;
f) a Code of Conduct be adopted by all political parties prescribing criteria
that proscribe any candidates with a past history of prejudice and
discrimination against women; and
g) courses on gender sensitization be given to all elected representatives and
members of the Cabinet.
To this purpose a People's Parliament comprising of concerned citizens and
netizens shall spread the message of upholding women's dignity and upgrading the
personal standards and qualities of MPs. We trust that YB would perform your
duty without fear or favour.
Restore the dignity of both women and Parliament!
Yours faithfully,
LIM GUAN ENG
SECRETARY-GENERAL
Fong: MPs' apology to women insincere
by
Giam Say Khoon
PETALING JAYA (May 18, 2007): It was not a sincere apology from Datuk Bung
Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) and Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN-Jasin).
"They should be suspended for a year for making such sexist remarks in
Parliament," Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) said today.
She said the apology was meaningless as it was made a week after the sexist
remark and most importantly the two Barisan Nasional MPs did not apologise
personally to her and to her constituency.
She said during a forum last night, the public had agreed that the two MPs
should be suspended for 12 months in total. Six months for making the remark and
another six months for not apologising personally to her.
"They should be sent to do community service for women groups during the
suspension period and their allowances should also be donated to women groups or
non-governmental organisations," she added.
"They should also apologise to me personally," she told reporters after viewing
their apology in a SMS news alert service today.
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Circular No 231/2010: 2nd Asia Pacific Regional Forum Conference
Deny...then...blame the press...then apologise... then retract...then apologise again! We have clowns as our lawmakers...its obvious that the title 'Yang Berhormat' do not befit then at all. In short, 'muka tak malu!'