[UPDATED] Ask Wanita Umno how we treat women: Tajuddin tells opposition

KUALA LUMPUR – Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman has refuted accusations that he and some of his peers are sexist politicians.

Responding to comments made by Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH) while debating the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill 2021 yesterday, Tajuddin said her remarks against himself, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan-BN), and Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (Baling-BN) on sexism was demeaning and meant to tarnish their image.

“They don’t know us (on) how we take care of women, how we help (women),” Tajuddin said.

“You don’t know how we treat our women. You can ask Wanita Umno.”

Tajuddin went on to trigger a shouting match between himself and opposition members after he said that he did not have a problem with women.

Instead, he said he had a problem with several DAP women members he accused of being “tak senonoh” (indecent) and “mulut capul” (foul-mouthed).

Tajuddin’s aspersions on DAP’s women members had raised the ire of Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer, who repeatedly called on the Pasir Salak MP to retract his statement.

However, Tajuddin was having none of it.

“What is your motive (in calling me sexist)? You want to spoil (my image).

“We (Umno) win in the elections all the time, and most of our Wanita wing support us.

“Don’t easily accuse us of not respecting women.”

Several other opposition members later chimed in on the shouting match, calling for deputy speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon to reprimand Tajuddin over the “sexist” remark against women DAP leaders.

Steven Sim Chee Keong (Bukit Mertajam-PH) told Rashid that action should be taken against Tajuddin, as his words had gone against the spirit of the anti-harassment law, and that it set a bad example for parliamentarians.

“If you do not take action, there is no meaning to the law that we are tabling," he told the deputy speaker.

Kasthuri Patto (Batu Kawan-PH) also lambasted Rashid over his alleged inaction, accusing parliamentary speakers of practicing double standards, following the two-day suspension of Kota Belud MP Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis.

“You have let Pasir Salak make sexist statements when he has to apologise to us,” she said.

“He (Tajuddin) is just walking away (without punishment), but if anyone from our side (opposition) made such statements, we would be suspended.” – The Vibes, July 20, 2022