Just remove ‘Women’ from ministry: Azalina slams Rina over crass clip

KUALA LUMPUR – Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun has been getting flak from several women lawmakers across the political aisle over a tasteless video deemed to be degrading to women. 

Umno’s Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said was the latest to censure the minister from Bersatu over the 40-second promotional clip for a ministry event, which among other things, had claimed women are “always late”.

“The efforts taken by the ministry in combatting violence against women are all for nothing. Bagai mencurah air ke daun keladi (like talking to a wall),” Azalina said on Twitter. 

Azalina, who is also a former Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker, said it would be better for Rina to remove the word “women” from the ministry’s name.

“Minister, I think it is better the ministry’s name be rebranded to just ‘Family Development Ministry’, and remove the word ‘Women’. That would make things easier.”

The video, which was posted on Rina’s TikTok page yesterday and has since garnered over 200,000 views, is meant to promote the ministry’s entrepreneurial programme for women which took place at the World Trade here this morning.

@dsrinaharun Wanita selalu lambat? Jom sertai Program Keusahawanan Wanita Bangkit @ KPWKM yang akan diadakan di World Trade Centre bermula pukul 9 pagi esok. @Rosyam Nor #RinaHarun #ToWorkToEngage #KPWKMPrihatin #fyp #fypシ ♬ original sound - Rina Harun

In the clip, actor Datuk Rosyam Nor is heard saying women are always late, and in urging them to attend today's event, also said in jest that he would “smack their heads”. 

“Everything is late when it comes to women. Wake up, wake up from your sleep!” he said in the video.

Rina and several other women, believed to be ministry officers, are seen standing behind Rosyam and grinning throughout the video. 

In a statement last night, former deputy minister Hannah Yeoh urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to sack Rina from her position following her latest blunder belittling women.

“The one who needs waking up are Rina and her deputy minister,” she said, noting that no progress has been made on women’s issues in Rina’s three years in the Cabinet. 

Yeoh, who is DAP’s Segambut MP, reminded Rina that many mothers are forced to sleep late and wake up early to help make necessary preparations for their families, but are often the victims of stereotyping and domestic violence. 

“How could a minister have allowed such a script and promotional video downgrading and disparaging women? 

“Rina is not paid thousands each month by the rakyat merely to conduct programmes. The public is not paying the minister’s salary for her to undertake the works of an event organiser.”

Meanwhile, DAP deputy youth chief Young Syefura Othman also poured scorn on Rina over the video, which has also drawn the ire of many Malaysians who took to social media to vent their disgust. 

“Wake up late? Women are late? Smack heads? What is this, the women minister can even stand and grin like that???” Young Syefura said in a tweet. – The Vibes, September 14, 2022