Press Statement
Sexist Remarks by Members of Parliament
11 May 2007

The All-Women’s Action Society (AWAM) is shocked to read the sexist comments made by members of Parliament on the 10th of May, 2007. We are also disappointed that the matter was handled so dismissively.

The statements are worrying because they reflect the disrespect of women by the lawmakers of Malaysia. The fact that the august body allowed the ‘joke’ to be made about the function of the female body without any sanctions against the 2 men marked another low point in the history of Parliamentary debates. The remarks smack of sexual harassment.

By letting off Datuk Bung Moktoar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) and Datuk Mohd Said Yusuf (BN-Jasin) without even a reprimand, or making them apologise sends the signal that sexual harassment of women is acceptable. An expression of regret by Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib is insufficient considering the enormity of the insult towards not only Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) herself, but every girl and woman in the country.

We fail to see the justice in denying disciplinary action based on a technicality in the Standing Orders, particularly considering that in the past, parliamentarians have been successfully referred to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee after the deadline. (“Sexist MPs at work again”, The Sun, 11/05/07)

The general responses to Fong’s complaints are typical of what many women experience when they claim their right to be respected : Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz claimed that the words were not offensive (“Sexist lawmakers get away with insulting women”, NST, 11/05/07); that it was normal to play with words; and that it is only wrong if such a statement was made with malicious content. (“Let off despite ‘sexist’ remarks”, The Star, 11/05/07).

Most shockingly, members of the Parliamentary Gender Caucus were oblivious to the distress these remarks have caused. Fadilliah Yusof (BN-Petrajaya) attributes one of the statements to provocation (“Sexist lawmakers get away with insulting women”, NST, 11/05/07). Provocation should never be an excuse to humiliating Fong Poh Kuan in particular, and women in general. Datuk Idris-Haron (BN-Tangga Batu) – another member of the Gender Caucus – failed to see this as a gender issue and insensitively weighs the statements no more than a joke. (“Sexist lawmakers get away with insulting women”, NST, 11/05/07)

We reiterate the call of the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) for a Sexual Harassment Bill. This Bill defines sexual harassment clearly, with swift redress procedures.

Statement from All Women's Action Society, endorsed by Women's Aid Organisation as part of Joint Action Group

Related News:

• JAG Press Statement: End All Sexism and Gender Discrimination in Parliament
• Protest held over sexist MPs (Malaysiakini, 16 May 2007)
• Jasin MP denies making ‘bocor’ comment (The Star, 16 May 2007)
• Sexist remarks becoming the norm? (The Star, 13 May 2007)
• There they go again (The Sunday Star, 13 May 2007)
• Bar Council: Sexist remarks unconstitutional (Malaysiakini, 12 May 2007)
• Groups slam MPs for making sexist ‘joke’ against women (The Star, 12 May 2007)