Dinner: Reclaim PJ Parliamentary and State seats

Congratulations to the PJ Action Team for the successful dinner held in Sg Way (Seri Setia) a while ago.

Sec Gen Lim Guan Eng and deputy sec gen Chong Eng came all the way from Bukit Mertajam and Kota Melaka respectively to give the potential candidates in PJ their greatest support.

Other speakers tonight include Lau Weng San (PJ Action Team Chairman), Ean Yong Hian Wah (Selangor state chairman), Liew Ching Tong ( DAPSY leader), Thomas Goh ( PJ Action Team Treasurer), Tony Pua ( Economic Advisor to Sec Gen DAP), Rama ( Chairman of Kg Tun Razak ).

In my speech, I criticised the MCA local elected reps for not helping the residents and villagers. I also explained what has happened to my OSA case ( no fruther development) and the compensation I won from the case against the former IGP some six months ago was still not paid to me.

I did an opinion poll on the spot and to our delight, majority of the supporters said Yes to opposition cooperation; only 3 persons said No. I have no time to ask them why but I did use the opportunity to explain why we should get the opposition parties to work together.

In my speech, I explained why DAP leaders believe that the coming GE will fall in November this year ( NOV 25, to be more precise) or latest by March 2008. 

I also expressed my deep regret that the voters who lived in Jalan 4 and Jalan 18, Sg Way were fooled by Chew Mei Fun and Dr Wong Sai Hau in the 2004 GE. They were promised land titles immediately after the GE but guess what, their homes were all demolished by the authority in 2006. Both Chew and Wong did not even give it a fight. Not only that, they even failed to get the rightful compensation for many of them: No monthly rental subsidy of RM120 per family. No transport/ moving cost subsidy. No homes for second family…

But it’s too late for the residents who have trusted Chew and Wong. Chew has even gotten a promotion after the 2004 GE. There’s nothing the villagers can do except for voting against the two in the coming general elections.

Other speaker touched on issues such as mother tongue education, quality of tertiary education, freedom of religion, the importance of voters registration, rampant corruption and abuse of powers, increasing crime rates in PJ and Selangor, the restructuring of police force to fight crimes, the reasons for strengthening the DAP and other opposition parties, the NEP and income divide, the sexist Umno MPs ( we played the video clips of the relevant Parliamentary seating) and what should we expect  from a state assemblyman and Member of Parliament.

Everyone in the audience agrees with DAP speakers that Malaysia is not a better place to live after Abdullah has taken over from Dr Mahathir. We were all greatly disappoineted with the performance of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Samy the sexist, shame on you!

Lat week, I commented that the sexist duo reflects the culture of Umno. Now, I may have to reword it to “the sexist trio reflects the culture of Barisan Nasional”.

According to Chong Eng, there are plenty of sexists among the current batch of BN MPs. The former MP of Ipoh Timur from the MCA was one of them. They were fond of using words like “bagi masuk sikit (allow to enter a littel ), ” saya nak sentuh wanita” ( I wish to touch women)… they find poking fun at the women a folk a nice past-time.

Samy joins ranks of sexist politicians

Malaysiakini-May 22, 07 7:14pm 

 Just as the dust was about to settle over the sexist remarks made by two parliamentarians, a senior minister has kicked it up again. Veteran politician S Samy Vellu yesterday drew a parallel between the dilapidated state of the 43-year-old Parliament House to the looks of a woman of 50 years.

“A woman may be pretty but after 50 years she would not be pretty,” he was quoted as saying at a press conference yesterday after officiating an engineering exposition.

A women’s group today ticked Samy Vellu off, saying that it was inexcusable that one of the country’s longest-serving ministers chose a sexist comment to make his point on the need for renovation works on the Parliament House.

 “His remarks reinforce the gender stereotype that a woman’s worth lies with her extrinsic attributes (looks) and not with her intrinsic qualities as a human being,” said Loh Cheng Kooi from the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality.

“His statement and comparison are demeaning and an affront to women of all ages as they reduce women to objects of beauty, depreciating in value over time.”

Samy Vellu’s sexist remarks came hot in the heels of the furore over those made by two parliamentarians – Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin and Jasin MP Mohd Said Yusof – early this month. The parliamentarians, during debate on the lack of maintenance resulting in leaks in the Parliament building after heavy downpours, had attacked a woman opposition representative who raised the issue. “Where’s the leak? The Batu Gajah MP leaks every month too,” Bung said referring to DAP representative of the constituency, Fong Po Kuan. The duo have since apologised following intense criticisms from the public.

Samy did it before

Loh lamented that it was not the first time for Samy Vellu to make such sexist remarks – in October 2005, the works minister was quoted to have compared “toilets to new brides”. He was reported to have said: “Toilets are like new brides after they are completed. After some time, they get a bit spoiled. Even if you do not use them frequently, you need someone to clean them every 25 minutes.”

“For far too long, elected representatives have repeatedly made derogatory remarks against women, ranging from comments on their bodily functions to statements on their physical attributes, and have gotten away with such sexist language.

“These comments show a complete lack of gender sensitivity and reflect a deeply ingrained culture of patriarchy as well as a total lack of respect for women.” She called on Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is chairperson of the Gender Cabinet Committee, to take this matter seriously and put an immediate stop to sexist comments from his cabinet and Parliament. If not, Loh said that Malaysians should then send a clear message at the ballot box.

“Gender insensitive leaders should just be voted out.”

Sexist duo products of Umno culture

The sexist duo have reluctantly said sorry to all women except Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan. Their  ‘apology’ came too late and lacked sincerity. The damage is done and the only way to teach them is to boot them out of the august Parliament in the coming general elections.

Judging from the reactions of the Cabinet and the Umno leadership, it ‘s a foregone conclusion that these two ‘creatures’ from Jasin and Kinabatangan will be fielded by Umno again. The Prime Minister who talked so much about Islam Hadhari has been keeping mum on the matter until today, as if such derogatory remarks against the women folks were nothing serious ( Nazri’s word) and should be treated with great sense of humour ( Najib’s word). But what would they say if the culprits were Opposition MPs and the victims were from Barisan Nasional?

To me, the dispicable behavior and attitude of these sexist duo simply reflects the primitive mentality of Umno leadership. They are the products of Umno culture.

This morning, I went to Serdang market to extend our solidarity with Fong Po Kuan together with other Selangor state leaders and local members. I will be going to Pandamaran market tomorrow morning to highlight the issue with other local members. We will be giving out a leaflet besides staging a protest against the two MCPs (male chauvinist pigs). 

Po Kuan is still fuming because she feels that the sexist duo have not repented. Both Mohd Said and Bung Mokhtar must be punished for their chauvinistic slurs. 

Besides MCPs, we can also find many racists and extremists among the Umno MPs. They were very fond of asking DAP MPs to leave Malaysia whenever they have no answer to our sharp criticism.

These clowns have turned the Parliament into a ‘circus’. There should be no room for such ‘creatures’ in the august house.

Suhakam lambasts sexist remarks

May 19, 07 11:41am Malaysiakini

Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has added their voice against the sexist remarks made by Jasin MP Mohd Said Yusof and Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokthar Radin.In a statement yesterday, the commission said that any remark that strips a person of his or her dignity is a violation of the fundamental right to human dignity.The commission was referring to a remark made by the two parliamentarians, during debate last week on the lack of maintenance resulting in leaks in the Parliament building after heavy downpours.“Where’s the leak? The Batu Gajah MP leaks every month too,” Bung said referring to the DAP representative of the constituency, Fong Po Kuan, who had raised the issue.The statement said the crude, offensive and sexist remarks had attacked Fong’s dignity. The commission also said that parliamentarians should provide good examples by respecting the dignity of others as they are representatives of the people and leaders of the nation. “Suhakam notes that some MPs supported the derogatory, sexist remarks of the two MPs by cheering when the remarks were made or by rebutting that they were mere use of words,” it stated. When the issue arose, Deputy Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has said the remarks were not supposed to be taken seriously and that there were certain parties out to make a big deal of the issue. Not a personal attack Meanwhile, de facto law minister Nazri Aziz said he did not find the choice of words used by both to be offensive. Tangga Batu MP Idris Haron added his view that when such things are said in Parliament, “we take them as a joke, not a personal attack.” “Suhakam urges the MPs who stripped fellow MP Fong Po Kuan of her human dignity and other MPs to uphold at all times the dignity of others especially in Parliament where they exercise their freedom of expression,” read the statement. “Freedom of speech is a human right but it also comes with the responsibility that one does not abuse this right by using it to ridicule, defame, harm mental health and create public disorder,” it added. Both Mohd Said and Bung Moktar had apologised to “all women in the country offended by the remarks” following a meeting with Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil yesterday. However they defended their words used in the Dewan as necessary to defend the government during debates. They also did not issue a personal apology to Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan, against whom the sexist remarks were aimed at last week.

Sexist MPs ‘not man enough’ to say sorry

Sorry seems to be the hardest word for the sexist duo. The sexist MPs withdrew their apology three hours after they have told the reporter of The Star that they wished to apologise today. What a pair of real cowards! Bung Mohktar and Mohd Said, shame on you! To the minister and DPM who defended the sexist duo, a friend of of mine asked me to register her anger in my blog. She wanted me to say this to Najib and the minister, ” Tak Tahu Malu! Tak ada standard!”  Yes, please remember to attend the forum on the issue tomorrow (Thursday 17 May) at the YMCA Hall in Bricksfields Kuala Lumpur at 7.30pm. Admission is free. Speakers include Ambiga Screenevasan – Bar Council President  Maria Chin Bte Abdullah – Executive Director of Women Development    Collective (WDC)   Zainah Anwar – Executive Director of Sisters in Islam  Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – President of Parti KeADILan Rakyat * (To be conformed)   Lim Guan Eng – Secretary-General of DAP  YB Lim Kit Siang – Parliamentary Opposition Leader  YB Teresa Kok Suh Sim – MP for Seputeh YB Fong Po Kuan – MP for Batu Gajah Moderator: Tony Pua. Sexist MPs ‘apologise’ over remarks

May 16, 07 1:53pm Malaysiakini

updated version Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokhtar Radin and Jasin MP Mohd Said Yusof were said to have apologised today over their sexist remarks made in Parliament last week.Their apology was directed to Batu Gajah MP Fong Po Kuan and all Malaysian women, according to a report in The Star Online.However when malaysiakini contacted Mohd Said for comment, he denied making any apology.”Why should I apologise? This was a matter raised during debate in Parliament. This is usual,” he said.He also said he would meet Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil on Friday to explain his remarks.Bung Mokhtar did not pick up his telephone when contacted but was quoted in Sin Chew Daily denying issuing any apology. “No such thing,” he was quoted as saying. In a statement, Shahrizat confirmed the meeting with the duo. She said the matter had been discussed at the weekly cabinet meeting this morning and that she had been “given the mandate to follow up on the issue”. The two was supposed to call separate press conferences early this afternoon but they were hastily cancelled a few hours later. It is not clear why there appeared to have been a change of position on the issue of apology by both parliamentarians. The parliamentarians, during debate last week on the lack of maintenance resulting in leaks in the Parliament building after heavy downpours, had attacked Fong who raised the issue.  “Where’s the leak? The Batu Gajah MP leaks every month too,” Bung said referring to DAP representative of the constituency, Fong Po Kuan on Wednesday [video clip]. A motion by Fong to censure the duo was rejected by Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib the next day on the grounds that the issue was not raised at the time of the incident. Since then the two BN MPs have come under intense fire. Protest at ministry Yesterday, the Joint-Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) organised a protest at the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry over the issue.  About 60 people, carrying placards and banners, participated in the hour-long protest. Shahrizat had said on Monday that it would be an honourable thing for the MPs to apologise. Today’s print edition of The Star reported that Mohd Said had denied making such statements, saying that the media had blown it out of proportion. According to the report, when asked if he would apologise, Mohd Said said: “Let it be. The press exaggerated it. I didn’t say it. I don’t want to comment anymore.”

Sexist MPs must be punished

After watching the 5-minute video shot by Malaysiakini, I have an impression that Sharizat Jalil will not be firm and steadfast to demand any actions to be taken against the sexist duo in the Cabinet meeting today. The DAP delegation led by the SG Lim Guan Eng has brought the matter to the DPM office on Monday, urging Najib to sack both Bung Mokhtar and Mohd Said. Protest held against sexist MPs

Yoges Palaniappan and Ooi Kelly May 15, 07 6:46pm Malaysiakini

‘We want gender sensitive MPs!’ This was among the slogans chanted during a protest outside the Bukit Perdana government complex in Kuala Lumpur today.About 60 people, carrying placards and banners, participated in the hour-long protest, which started at about 11am. A small number of uniformed policemen kept watch as the protestors voiced their objections to the sexist remarks made by Barisan Nasional parliamentarians Bung Mokhtar Radin and Said Yusof in Parliament last week. The protest was organised by the Joint-Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG). Among those present at the protest were a number of representatives from MCA, a member of the ruling coalition. A memorandum was presented to Women, Family and Community Development Minister Sharizat Abdul Jalil. Suspension, pay cut The memorandum, read out by Women’s Development Collective executive director Maria Chin Abdullah, demanded a public apology from the two MPs. She also urged Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who chairs the cabinet committee on gender equality, Sharizat’s ministry and the parliamentary caucus on gender equality to end sexism and gender discrimination in Parliament. “Any MP who ill behaves in Parliament should be suspended for a period of six months and his pay and allowances cut until the suspension is over,” she added to applause from those present. Sisters in Islam executive director Zainah Anwar said MPs who are gender insensitive must not be re-elected. She cited five MPs – Bung, Said, Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading), Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai) and Abdul Fatah Harun (PAS-Rantau Panjang). “We don’t want them to be re-elected, because they have ridiculed their constituencies, parties, the Parliament and government,” she said, vowing to stage protests in their respective constituencies should they stand for elections. Don’t get emotional Meanwhile, Shahrizat said she will raise the matter during tomorrow’s cabinet meeting. “We (the government) are very sensitive, we’re following this issue and will take (the necessary) steps. We expect everyone, from backbenchers to the opposition, to behave with decorum and dignity,” she added. However, the minister said there was no need to get overly emotional about the matter and ruled out the need to hold protests. “I really don’t think its necessary to hold this kind of gathering. Just give me the memo and we will see to it. But I admit you are NGOs and you are free to do it,” she said. Wanita MCA representative Felicia Ling (left) also urged the minister to take necessary action. “We’re all behind you, you have the nation’s 50 percent population behind you. There’s nothing to be afraid of,” she said. The protest was participated by representatives from various women’s groups, rights groups and political parties. What the rest had to say S Arutchelvan, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) pro-tem secretary-general The comments made by them is disgusting. The worst part is they made it in Parliament and they didn’t show any remorse over it. The matter must be exposed to the public as it would prevent them from making the same mistake again. They must apologise and BN must take disciplinary action against them. Y Kohila, grassroots movement Jerit They will get angry if the same statements are made about their wives and daughters, but yet they did it. Women have progressed and we make half of the nation’s economic force. We must stop voting for them. Lee Huat Seng, student movement Dema There will be no equality until there is gender equality. R Ragunanthanan of Young Lawyer’s Association I’m embarrassed to be a man because of the two MPs. They must apologise and Sharizat must step down if she can’t defend her fellow womenfolk. Fong Po Kuan (far left), DAP MP We’re not here because we are emotional. We are here to stress that it is about time to stop the recurring of sexism in the Parliament. I hope that after this incident, there wont be any derogatory remarks and gender discrimination in the Parliament. Watch the five-minute video here. mkinitv_client(‘WomenProtest.wmv’);

Forum: Teach the 2 sexist BN MPs a lesson

“Respect Women’s Dignity, Towards A 1st World Parliament”

The Parliament has failed in its duty to the nation and people, in
particular Malaysian women.  It has shirked its responsibility to
redeem itself and punish the two sexist BN MPs who have brought shame
and dishonour to Parliament by the use of derogatory, crude, vulgar,
sexist and gender-offensive attack on Sdri Fong Po Kuan and all
Malaysian women on Wednesday, 9th May.

Since Parliament is not prepared to do what it should do to redeem its
honour and those of Malaysian women and the nation, it is now up to
the ordinary Malaysian public to do what Members of Parliament and
Ministers have failed to do – by making their condemnation of the
sexist conduct of the two BN MPs loud and clear to the Prime
Minister, the Cabinet and the country!

In conjunction with the above incident, DAP is organising the following
forum entitled “Respect Women’s Dignity, Towards A 1st World
Parliament!”

Date:
17 May 2007 (Thursday)

Time:
7.30pm

Venue:
YMCA Hall,
Kuala Lumpur.

No.95,
Jalan Padang Belia, Off Jalan Tun Sambanthan, 50470 Kuala Lumpur

(Opposite of the KL SENTRAL Station)

Speakers:

Ambiga Screenevasan – Bar Council President

 Maria Chin Bte Abdullah – Executive Director of Women Development    Collective (WDC)

 Zainah Anwar – Executive Director of Sisters in Islam

 Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail – President of Parti KeADILan Rakyat * (To be conformed)

 Lim Guan Eng – Secretary-General of DAP

 YB Lim Kit Siang – Parliamentary Opposition Leader

 YB Teresa Kok Suh Sim – MP for Seputeh

YB Fong Po Kuan – MP for Batu Gajah

Moderator: Tony Pua.

All are welcome, admission is free!

Shame on you, Umno MPs!

Both Bung Mohktar Radin (Kinabatangan) and Mohamad Said Yusuf (Jasin)should be suspended immediately.These two Umno MPs have degraded the august Parliament into a ‘circus’. Don’t they know that such shameful remarks would have also irked their own family members including their wives, daughters, sisters, mothers and grandmothers? It’s also shameful for fellow MPs from the BN bench (especially fellow lady MPs) for not supporting Fong Po Kuan. Shame on you, Wanita BN!Such shameful acts of the BN MPs have also dampened the spirit of celebrating this year’s Mother’s Day (falls on this Sunday).Youtube上载遭2议员羞辱短片 冯宝君将在选区掀起抗议运动

07年5月11日 晚上8:18 Malaysiakini

国阵两名巫统议员莫哈末赛益（左图）以及邦莫达（右图），日前讥讽民主行动党华都牙也区国会议员冯宝君“每月都会bocor一次”的侮辱性言论，已经引起举国哗然。网友更把有关国会议员出言不逊，羞辱女性的辩论片段，上载到人气旺盛的Youtube影象网站。一名匿称为“sweekuan1”的网民，昨日把本月9日的国会会议情况，在youtube网站上载了一段约6分钟的短片。结果，有关短片截至今天傍晚八时已有432次的点击次数。（欲观赏，请点击 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xqnw-q93wyc）呈讨论国会漏水动议引发激辩行动党古晋区国会议员张建仁是在星期三的国会下议院下午复会时，提呈动议要求国会针对国会大厦漏水事件进行讨论，并宣称这动议也是以在场采访的媒体记者和国会议员的安全为考量。不过对此动议不满的国阵后座议员，立刻大声指责张建仁滥用权力。此时，国会反对党领袖兼民主行动党怡保东区国会议员林吉祥也加入舌战。林吉祥：“有六处漏水，请问这个地方安全吗？政府耗资1亿零吉的建筑费，为何还会发生这样的事？以前也发生过，为何现在还再次发生”张建仁附议：“对，屋顶漏水”。邦莫达揶揄：“屋顶漏水，那我不安全吗？”林吉祥：“这已不是第一次发生”。邦莫达：“都说了已经正在调查”。林吉祥追问：“这种事怎么可以发生？”。一些国阵后作座议员回应：“为什么不可以，我家也会漏水阿”。 国会下议院副议长林时清：“政府已采取行动，大家请不要再争论此事”。 野新区国会议员莫哈末赛益：“唛啦”（福建话） 古拉抗议：“这件事情根本就是涉及到贪污”。 莫哈末赛益：“政府已采取行动了”。 古拉继称：“我们有眼睛可以看到真相，或许你的一只眼睛或半只眼睛关着了”。 …… 邦莫达：“华都牙也国会议员每个月都在漏”。 赛益：“对啊，华都牙也国会议员每个月都在漏”。 短片显示，邦莫达在听毕此言后，不禁裂嘴大笑，然后才肯坐下。 议长以没即时抗议为由拒绝处置 冯宝君（右图）在饱受“屈辱”后心有不甘，而援引议会常规提出将邦莫达及赛益提交国会特权委员会处置的动议；但却遭到国会议长南利，以当事人必须在事发时针对不当的谈话提出即时的抗议，才能够被接纳的技术理由，驳回动议。 冯宝君在事后表示，对于女性遭到辱骂感到非常遗憾。而在场的行动党士布爹区议员郭素沁、怡保东区国会议员林吉祥及怡保西区国会议员古拉皆力挺冯宝君。 张建仁则质疑议长采用双重标准，称当初武吉牛汝莪区国会议员卡巴星在挑起“左右手宣誓”数日后，就被提呈特委会对付，并被禁足国会6个月，但两位议员提出有辱女性的言论却没被对付。 此一方面，为了抗议巫统两名议员的羞辱言论，冯宝君将会于本周日晚上在其国会选区正式展开抗议行动。 冯宝君昨日已经在国会宣布她将会领导一项以行动党为主的抗议运动，让唤醒大马人民关注女性不但在国家、甚至在国会中所受到的不公平对待，以及号召全国支持，要求勿让两名犯上性别歧视的国阵国会议员不应该在他们可鄙的举止，不受惩罚的情况下，就此脱罪。 这项抗议运动将会在本周日晚上在冯宝君的选区华都拉也正式展开。但是，在还没有推行星期日的正式运动之前，怡保东区行动党先在明天（星期六）晚上的怡保兵如港支部座谈会上，声援冯宝君的抗议运动。 林吉祥遗憾没国阵女议员挺身而出 此外，林吉祥（左图）也特别针对没有任何一名国阵女性议员站出来，声援被两名国阵议员羞辱的冯宝君和全体马来西亚女性，感到遗憾。 “难道没有任何一名国阵的女性国会议员会站出来捍卫女性的尊严，并且谴责对宝君作出诋毁性、粗鲁、性别歧视和具伤害性言论的两名国阵国会议员？” 他也接到消息说国际妇女组织对于国会昨天可耻的一幕表示震惊，并将会公开谴责两名性别歧视的国阵国会议员。 “在国阵掌控91巴仙国会下议院多数议席的情况下，公正和公平的原则根本不能在国会伸展。现在就让马来西亚上下的普通公民，恢复国会的名誉以及马来西亚女性的尊严，站出来给予宝君支持与声援，以及针对两名国阵国会议员所作出的诋毁性、性别歧视性、羞辱全国女性的言论作出谴责。” 他指出，国会议长南里在冯宝君于昨天10时早上的国会会议站起来，以国会常规第26（1）（p）提呈特权动议，以发表粗鲁、诋毁性、性别歧视性和伤害性言论的理由，要求将两名性别歧视的国阵国会议员带上国会特权委员会处置的时候，并没有即刻拒绝该项动议。 反而，南里要求更多的时间，在下午2时半宣布他的决定。 “这只会显示出南里对宝君投诉中的要点、对于具性别歧视的国会议员滥用国会特权诋毁一名女性议员以及侮辱全体马来西亚女性的论点表示赞同，所以他并没有即刻拒绝宝君的动议。” 很不幸及很错误的，最后南里决定以技术性理由拒绝宝君的特权动议，无视投诉当中的重点并留下两项课题还没有获得解决： –两名国阵议员鉴于冯宝君是一名女性国会议员而公开诋毁和羞辱她； –国会议员的特权遭到滥用，以作出如此粗鲁、粗鄙、性别歧视和伤害性的言论，让国家最高政治和立法机构的声誉后退。 –这种侮辱性的动作不单单针对宝君，而包括全体马来西亚女性。在国会可以被如此滥用，提出这类粗俗、贬低性和具性别歧视言论的情况下，导致今年的母亲节已经成为最没有意义的母亲节。 Motion over ‘menstruation’ remarks rejected Ooi Kelly and Bede Hong May 10, 07 6:47pm Malaysiakini The Dewan Rakyat today rejected a motion by Opposition MP Fong Po Kuan who wanted two BN members of Parliament censured for making comments about her menstruation.Amidst pandemonium that broke out during the afternoon’s debate over the leaks in Parliament yesterday, Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN – Kinabatangan) had stood and made off-mike comments over the Batu Gajah parliamentarian’s menstrual cycle.His comments were carried today by Utusan Malaysia, China Press and Sin Chew Daily.Mohd Said Yusof (BN – Jasin) was also named for censure making similar remarks.This morning, Fong called for a motion under the Standing Order 26 (1P) to refer the two BN MPs to the Committee of Privileges. However Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib shot down the motion, with reason that the issue was not raised at the time of incident. Technical knock out DAP MPs protested that they had not heard the comments made by the two BN MPs due to the commotion in the House. “During the incident at 12:37 pm yesterday, the offending remarks were uttered. The YBs have a chance to voice their displeasure (then). However, this issue was put forth only this morning,” said Ramli. “As the matter must be raised at the time of the incident, and the issue occurred yesterday, I must reject the motion for the Standing Order,” he added. Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang protested: “… the remarks were not heard yesterday. There was chaos and pandemonium. The earliest that we knew of the remarks was this morning when the comments were published [by several national dailies].” “Do we allow this sexist, offensive remarks to pass. They are celebrating, that the motion is rejected,” said Lim, pointing at BN MPs who were thumping at their desks. De-facto law minister Nazri Aziz, who read out the bills of the day, left the Dewan Rakyat at this juncture. Insulting to all women In a press conference later, Fong expressed her regret over the decision: “I feel sad that no woman MP in the Dewan just now voiced their objection to the comments that were insulting to all women. DAP MP Teresa Kok said the matter was not new: “Each time a gender sensitive issue comes out … each time derogatory remarks were made against women, there is no action taken by the speaker.” Lim said, “The Kinabatangan MP (Mokhtar) behaved as though he has no mother, or daughters or sisters. And the BN can thump unashamedly at the rejection of the motion on technical ground.” Lim called on the prime minister to “discipline the two BN MPs.” Both MPs did not deny making the comments. When reproached by M Kulasegaran (DAP – Ipoh Barat) at this morning’s debate session, Mohd Said replied, “She shouldn’t have shouted like that when I wanted to discuss important things.” To censure a fellow MP, backbenchers and the opposition have the option of raising a substantive motion. The motion, however, requires a week’s notice and is not required for open debate. «From personal blog of Lim Kit Siang…  Grim and bleak Mother’s Day Ketuanan Melayu – are students taught that this is mere history which contradicts Bangsa Malaysia and Vision 2020? » Is there not a single woman BN MP who will stand up for Po Kuan and women dignity and condemn the sexist BN MP duo? Click PLAY to watch for Video of sexist BN MPs in action FLASH – video of sexist BN MPs in action (1) youTube – google Click PLAY to watch for Video of sexist BN MPs let off the hook (2) video of sexist BN MPs let off the hook (2) youTube (Part 1) & (Part 2) – google The Speaker, Tan Sri Ramli Talib did not instantly reject the privilege motion under Standing Order 26(1)(p) when it was tabled by DAP MP for Batu Gajah Fong Po Kuan who had stood up in the Dewan Rakyat when it started its meeting yesterday at 10 am to refer the two sexist Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs for making crude, derogatory, sexist and offensive remarks directed at Po Kuan in particular and women in general. Instead, Ramli asked for time for him to announce his decision at 2.30 pm. This could only mean that Ramli was convinced of the strength and merit of Po Kuan’s complaint – which was indeed very serious with sexist MPs abusing their parliamentary privilege to denigrate a woman MP, which is also a slur to all Malaysian women – that he did not immediately dismiss Po Kuan’s application. It is both wrong and unfortunate that in the end, Ramli decided to “knock out” Po Kuan’s privilege motion on a ground of technicality, ignoring the substantive complaint and leaving unresolved two issues: • The public dishonouring and humiliation of Po Kuan because she is a woman MP by two sexist BN MPs; • The misuse and abuse of their parliamentary privilege to besmirch and dishonour Parliament in demeaning and degrading the highest political and legislative chamber in the land to make crude, vulgar, sexist and offensive remarks. • The insult not only to Po Kuan but to all Malaysian women, making this year’s Mother’s Day the most meaningless one, when Parliament could be exploited to make vulgar, derogatory and sexist remarks. I am particularly disappointed that no woman BN MP had stood up in solidarity with Po Kuan and all Malaysian women who were insulted by the two sexist BN MPs. Is there not a single woman BN MPs who will stand up to speak up for women dignity and condemn the two sexist BN MPs for their derogatory, crude, sexist and offensive remarks about Fong Po Kuan? I have received information that international women groups are horrified by the disgraceful episode in Parliament yesterday and they will be making public their condemnation of the sexist misconduct of the two BN MPs. With 91% parliamentary majority of BN, there is no access to justice and fair play in Parliament. It is now left to ordinary Malaysians all over the country to redeem the honour of Parliament and dignity of women in Malaysia by speaking up to demonstrate support and solidarity with Po Kuan and condemnation of the two sexist BN MPs for their derogatory and sexists remarks which insult all Malaysian women. Po Kuan announced in Parliament yesterday that she will be heading a DAP protest campaign to make Malaysians aware of the injustices faced by women not only in the country but even in Parliament, and to mobilize national support both women and men to demand that the two sexist BN MPs should not be allowed to get away with their despicable conduct with impunity. The protest campaign will start in Po Kuan’s constituency in Batu Gajah on Sunday night. However, even before the start of the formal campaign on Sunday, DAP in Ipoh Timur will extend full pre-campaign support and solidarity to Po Kuan at the ceramah at the DAP Pasir Pinji Branch, Ipoh tomorrow (Saturday) night.