Christina Liew
Chua Soon Bui
Jainab
KOTA KINABALU: Women leaders in Sabah are supportive of the proposal to bar members of parliament from making sexist remarks through amendments to Dewan Rakyat rules that were tabled on Monday.
Assistant Information Technology and Human Resource Minister Datuk Jainab Ahmad Ayid said she welcomed the proposal because there were many MPs who made sexist remarks during parliamentary and Dewan Negara sittings.
“And they forget that what they say are hurtful to women. Their behavior also shows their immaturity and their narrow mindedness. They must remember that they have women family members and friends,” the Karambunai assemblywoman said.
“It must also be noted that 52 per cent of the voters in the country are women so these remarks can bring about implications that the MPs are unaware of,” Jainab stressed.
“We cannot generalize people and we must have mutual respect for each other,” she added.
Jamilah
Newly appointed Senator Datuk Jamilah Sulaiman said the proposal was a good one and should be supported by all elected representatives.
“Of course I support the proposal and I also support the courses for every parliamentarian on the subject of gender sensitivity,” she said.
For Tawau MP Datuk Chua Soon Bui, she said in her debate speech in parliament on Tuesday, she expressed her full support of the amendment of Standing Order 36 (4) which now had the addition of prohibiting MPs from making sexist remarks.
“I hope my fellow MPs will abide by the new rule to be more gender sensitive when they debate. It is very unfortunate that sexist remarks were made in the respected House of Parliament which has made it the laughing stock of the public,” the SAPP vice-president stressed.
Although some MPs said different words used could mean differently, having come from different ethnic and background, it should not be used as an excuse for offensive or sexist remarks.
“There should be a line drawn between sexist remarks and an intention to arouse lively debate. The addition is seen to be positive to give the Speaker more specific power when sexist remarks are uttered.
“It will also project a more positive move to transform the Malaysian parliament to a world class parliament. Furthermore, parliament should be a respected house to disseminate good culture to our young generation rather than giving the wrong public perception that sexist remarks are something that can be laughed at,” she stressed.
PKR Sabah vice chairperson and Kota Kinabalu divisional chief Christina Liew was of the opinion that the amendment was long overdue.
“It should have been made a long time ago as it had shown the poor quality of our MPs uttering comments that are not befitting their status as law makers of the country,” she pointed out.