KUALA LUMPUR – Puteri Umno chief Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan has rallied the party into dropping members she described as sexist and chauvinist from contesting in the upcoming general election.
Speaking at the Puteri Barisan Nasional (BN) convention today, Zahida said the actions of these leaders require stern action by the party.
She added that while the women’s Youth wing is ready to assist male candidates in winning the respective seats when the country heads to the polls, this should be on the strict condition that those picked must understand women’s aspirations.
“They should understand what women’s empowerment is. The party must be strict against those with sexist and racist views, who like to make fun of and disparage women.
“We (Puteri) are very sensitive to them. If even the whole nation is nauseated by people like them, the party can’t expect us to defend them. Full stop.
“No way, brother. Male chauvinist persons who think they are the god of everything should not have a place in BN!”
Later at a press conference, when asked if her speech was referring to anyone, Zahida said it was just a general statement, but insisted that such behaviour should not be condoned.
“By right, leaders with such character should not be accepted in this party. It’s an insult to women,” she said.
While Zahida did not mention any names, one notable Umno lawmaker who has been constantly accused of being sexist is Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.
Most recently, the outspoken Tajuddin had allegedly hurled the derogatory word “p*****k”, a Malay swear word crudely referring to a mother’s genitals, to several opposition lawmakers in Parliament.
Previously in 2016, he also courted flak after calling Seputeh MP Teresa Kok “the only woman with a Kok” in the Dewan Rakyat.
In her speech today, Zahida also bemoaned the fact that Umno women members are often the ones working the hardest to ensure election victory, although this is often not compensated with candidacies.
“Begging for votes, women. Counting voters’ grades, women. Forcing our eyes to face the computer, young women. Managing voters’ data, young women. The ones getting cursed and abused while manning the call centre, also young women.
“However, when the time comes to pick candidates, we are always the last. And various excuses are given by the party,” she lamented. – The Vibes, July 31, 2022
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