KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat erupted into a shouting match again when Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Rahim (Baling-BN) got peeved for being painted as among the culprits who often utter sexist remarks to female parliamentarians.
He interjected Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan-PH) during her debate for the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021, when she had questioned whether parliamentarians such as the Baling MP can be brought to book under the new legislation.
Azeez said he was compelled to defend himself after Kasthuri’s speech.
He said the only supposed sexist remark he had uttered in the house was in 2020, which he had apologised for.
On July 14, 2020, Azeez had uttered an offensive remark toward Kasthuri by describing her as gelap (dark) and recommended that she “pakai bedak” (use facial powder).
He doubled down, saying that Kasthuri supposedly calling Dewan Rakyat speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun a “barua” (lapdog) is even worse.
“I have repeatedly apologised for it and retracted the statement. So that’s over and done with. But why is the issue being brought up repeatedly?
“I would like to point out that Batu Kawan (Kasthuri) had called the speaker a ‘barua’ on that day itself. Go and check the Hansard,” he said.
Azeez then went on to explain that Azhar was not vindictive in nature and had even invited Kasthuri for a working visit to Turkey.
Kasthuri then stood up and said: “What has that got to do with anything?”, seemingly alluding that Azeez’s remarks had no bearing on their debate today.
Azeez then compelled Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Mohd Harun, who was present during the debate today, to check whether saying “gelap” and “pakai bedak” constitutes a sexist remark.
Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer then asked Azeez to sit down and asked other parliamentarians to ignore Azeez’s explanation.
Deputy speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon managed to call for calm.
The debate went on to hear from Leow Hsiad Hui (Hulu Selangor-PH).
However, another commotion soon occurred when Azeez was given extended time to debate the bill.
He had begun citing cases of inappropriate sexual behaviour associated with opposition lawmakers, including a former aide to then deputy home minister Datuk Azis Jamman who took an upskirt video of a woman with his smartphone and former DAP representative Paul Yong claiming trial for rape allegations.
This led to another shouting match between Azeez and Rayer, with the latter citing Parliament’s standing order that prohibits court cases from being discussed.
“You are the best lawyer, Jelutong (Rayer). You are the man. I respect you.
“But you keep calling me a thief in the Dewan Rakyat, but no court has convicted me of anything yet. You, as a lawyer, should know better from issuing such statements,'' he said.
Azeez is facing charges in court for corruption.
Earlier today, Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman also triggered a shouting match between himself and opposition members after he said that he did not have issues in his behaviour towards women. – The Vibes, July 20, 2022
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