KULA LUMPUR: Uproar erupted in the Dewan Rakyat while the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill was being debated after Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) went on a tirade against Opposition lawmakers, even going on to call several female MPs indecent.
Some MPs also claimed he had used an expletive in the House.
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Tajuddin said the Opposition MPs wanted to tarnish his reputation along with two other MPs.
“So-called disrespectful to women? They don’t know the three of us. You don’t know how we treat women,” he said.
“You want to spoil our image. We have won the election most of the time. Most wanita (women) support us,” he added.
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On Tuesday, Teo Nie Ching (PH-Kulai) said several MPs were prone to making sexist remarks while in the House.
Besides Tajuddin, she had also accused Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) and Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) of frequently making sexist remarks.
ALSO READ: Shouting match in Dewan Rakyat during Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill debate
Tajuddin, however, said some (in the Opposition) had “a bad mouth”.
“They (like to) stoke flames, instigate and challenge me and the Speaker,” said Tajuddin.
Poor conduct: Tajuddin going on a rant as MPs debate the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill. — Bernama
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) asked Deputy Speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon whether he would continue to allow Tajuddin to go on with his behaviour.
“Are you not brave enough to send him out?” he asked.
Rashid issued a warning to Tajuddin and turned off his microphone, but the MP was still heard shouting.
Several Opposition MPs said his actions were inappropriate and disrespectful as the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill was being debated.
Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) said Tajuddin shouted expletives after his microphone was turned off.“He just used a swear word in the house. He insulted women MPs. You let Pasir Salak walk away,” she said.Steven Sim (PH-Bukit Mertajam) asked Tajuddin to apologise and retract his remarks, adding that his behaviour runs against the spirit of the Bill at hand.
Kasthuri said the warning issued by Rashid was pointless for lawmakers such as Tajuddin.
“Let’s clear the air here, Speaker. You gave a warning. He didn’t heed it. Like Bukit Mertajam (Steven Sim) said, he should apologise and retract what he said.
“You allowed him to continue to monopolise the House, to control the House. He went on and on wasting the time of the House and you did not act on it,” she said, adding there was no point in having rules if actions could not be taken.
Kasthuri said such lawmakers have always been let off the hook.
“We have to suffer here in this House. It is not about immunity; it is about decorum and language. The warning didn’t work,” she added.
Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut) said it was pointless to talk about indecent language outside when the same was being done in the House.
“I heard Pasir Salak using the p-word, which is indecent, but no action was taken,” she said.
She questioned Rashid’s double standards when he was quick to act against Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis (Warisan-Kota Belud) by suspending her for two days when she pressed for the matter of the Sulu Sultanate claim to be discussed on Monday.
Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) said it would be a black day for the House if action was not taken.
Rashid said the MPs could submit a written motion if they were not happy with his ruling, adding that he was concentrating on the proceedings on the floor.
