KUALA LUMPUR – The second day of Dewan Rakyat sitting today was not without some drama as a small commotion erupted when Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) questioned if MPs will be penalised for making sexist remarks in the lower House.
During the debate on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021, Teo wondered aloud if errant lawmakers could be subject to the proposed tribunal empowered to hear sexual harassment cases.
She also said that the lower House is no stranger to sexist remarks in the 14 years she has been a lawmaker.
However, Teo triggered fiery responses by saying these statements were often made by Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan-BN), Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Rahim (Baling-BN), and Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (Pasir Salak-BN).
“What I would like to know is if we will see any difference in the Dewan Rakyat after the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill is passed. That is most important.
“Now, after the formation of the tribunal, if MPs still come out with sexist remarks, can they be brought to the tribunal, or will they continue to enjoy immunity where all the statements made in the Dewan cannot be used against them outside the House?”
She added that such situations show the failure of the Dewan Rakyat as an institution and Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun to protect women MPs.
“When the same parliamentarians keep issuing sexist remarks, what does this show? Firstly, the parliamentarian in question has issues. Secondly and most importantly, this institution and specifically the speaker has failed in his duties in defending the dignity of women parliamentarians,” she said.
Azeez then interjected, saying that some parliamentarians hurl spiteful comments and ridicule the speaker.
“What about when women MPs called the speaker a b******. What about that?
“When you issue profanities, we become angry too and then we say these things,” he said, alluding to provocation from the opposition bench.
This drew an angry retort by Ramkarpal Singh (Bukit Gelugor-PH): “Are you justifying sexual harassment?”
Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan-PH) also stood up and said: “Exactly!”
Azeez again asked: “If a woman parliamentarian calls the speaker a b******, how then? Answer me now!”
In reply, Kasthuri said Azeez is often at fault for hurling sexist remarks without provocation.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon tried to calm the House amid the shouting match among the four lawmakers.
However, Azeez again stood up and chastised Kasthuri for interjecting.
Teo then shouted that “two wrongs don’t make a right”.
“As a parliamentarian, he (Azeez) fails to understand two wrongs don’t make a right. It’s a simple principle, yet he failed to understand it,” she said before asking Azeez to sit down.
The Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 proposes the formation of a tribunal empowered to hear and determine on any complaint of sexual harassment by any person.
Earlier in the debate for the bill, Datuk Hasanuddin Mohd Yunus (Hulu Langat-PH) argued that while questions on sexual harassment often involved the victims’ alleged seductive clothing, the blame was solely on the perpetrator.
“It doesn’t matter whether the person in front of you is fully dressed or otherwise, but what is most important is that everyone must lower their gaze first, then you can talk about the victim.”
He then applauded the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry for bringing forward such a complex bill, but acknowledged improvements were needed from time to time.
Hasanuddin said the concept of “menggoda” (seduction) should include clothing, body language, eyes, voice, and even body scent. – The Vibes, July 19, 2022
