A government backbencher has called for stern action to be taken against Members of Parliament who make sexist and rude remarks in the Dewan Rakyat. Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) stated that all MPs are obliged to act with decorum in the august House and should refrain from making offensive remarks towards any group. She made these remarks during a press conference at the Parliament building on Monday (Oct 30). The parliamentarian stressed that if decisive action is not taken against MPs who make rude and sexist remarks in the Dewan Rakyat, the problem will persist.
During a debate on Budget 2024, Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) invited Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) to visit Langkawi wearing nothing after she inquired about the acceptance of shorts on the island. Kok, who was present at the press conference, expressed her bewilderment over Suhaimi’s sexist response to her legitimate concern for tourism in Langkawi. She explained that she had asked the question because Suhaimi had repeatedly claimed that the government did not support the promotion of Langkawi as a tourist destination. Kok also mentioned the numerous complaints received by the Tourism Ministry from visitors who were harassed by local authorities regarding their attire. She expressed embarrassment over Suhaimi’s sudden sexist response to her valid question.
Several Pakatan Harapan MPs attended the press conference to show solidarity. They included Rodziah Ismail (Ampang), Syerleena Abdul Rashid (Bukit Bendera), Suhaizan Kayat (Pulai), P. Prabakaran (Batu), Sany Hamzan (Hulu Langat), Syahredzan Johan (Bangi), and Howard Lee (Ipoh Timur). The group called on Mohd Suhaimi to apologize and acknowledge the wrongfulness of his actions.
In a Dewan Rakyat session earlier that day, Deputy Speaker Alice Lau stated that the motions filed by Young Syefura and Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) to refer the matter to the Rights and Privileges Committee were still under consideration by Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul. Deputy Speaker Lau advised everyone to await the decision when Speaker Tan Sri enters the chambers.
There have been various instances of male MPs making sexist remarks towards their female colleagues in the Dewan Rakyat. In 2021, then Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman launched an onslaught against women opposition lawmakers and even deemed their actions indecent. He also allegedly used an obscenity while debating the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill. Kinabatangan MP Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin has repeatedly faced criticism for multiple sexist remarks against women since 2007, when he first made a derogatory comment about a female MP’s menstrual cycle.
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