Dewan Rakyat approves motion to amend Standing Orders

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat has unanimously agreed to approve a motion amending the Standing Orders to bar MPs from uttering sexist remarks in the House.

With the approval, the Standing Order 36(4) now reads: “It shall be out of order for Members of the House to use offensive language or make a sexist remark.”

In his reply, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said the Dewan Rakyat Speaker had the power to decide what would be deemed “sexist” and take the necessary action, including referring the MP involved to the Rights and Privileges Committee.

“We know words such as celaka (accursed) or sial (damned) is considered offensive language in the House. But words such as bocor (leak), for example, is not offensive on its own.

“By itself, it is not deemed sexist but when connotations or innuendos are made during a debate, it carries a different meaning.

“This amendment will make it clearer to MPs that they are not allowed to utter sexist remarks. It will also make it easier for the Speaker to take action.

“MPs should inform the Speaker immediately if they feel that a term is sexist,” he replied to a point raised by Gobind Singh Deo (DAP Puchong) during a debate on the motion.

To a question from Datuk Ismail Kassim (BN Arau), Nazri said it was not necessary to have specific guidelines on what constituted “a sexist remark” as the Speaker and his deputies would have the discretion to decide on the matter.

Nazri also agreed to suggestions by both Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff (PAS Rantau Panjang) and Fong Po Kuan (DAP Batu Gajah) that all MPs be required to undergo gender-sensitive courses held by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, adding that the Speaker and the deputies should also attend.

Speaking to reporters later, Nazri said the Government would look into Gobind's suggestion for a female Speaker to be appointed, adding: “However, they must be appointed not merely because of their gender but because of their capabilities.”

The Senate, he said, presently had a female deputy president.

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