PAS leader defends sexist tweet, says critics lack knowledge

PETALING JAYA: After drawing flak for objectifying women in a tweet, a PAS state assemblyman says he stands by his remarks, accusing his critics of not understanding parables, proverbs and idioms.

Jabi representative Azman Ibrahim was widely criticised after he tweeted on Monday (Feb 6) that “expensive goods will be packaged nicely” and that goods sold openly in the streets are “cheap fake items”.

In a series of tweets on Tuesday (Feb 7), Azman said his critics did not understand analogies and proverbs.

He cited a Malay proverb “bagai anjing dengan bayang-bayang” (like a dog and shadows), which meant greedy people.

“That doesn’t mean that I’m calling you a dog,” said Azman, while tweeting another proverb as an example.

“These (people) did not study idioms, analogies and parables,” said Azman.

His attempt to defend his remarks did not go down well either, with many social media users quick to level more criticisms at him.

“Stop twisting facts. You had the wrong intentions and God will know,” tweeted AbdulG.

The issue began with an incident on Feb 1 when a woman was not allowed to enter the Kajang district police headquarters to lodge a report on a traffic accident because she was clad in shorts.

Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman subsequently urged the police not to be sexist and carry out their duties without judging a person by their clothing.

In response, Azman shared a snapshot of Young Syefura’s remarks and tweeted “expensive high-value items will be packed neatly and cutely. Packaging methods play an important role in marketing. If it is sold openly on the streets, then that is a fake and cheap item”.

Many Malaysians said Azman’s remarks were disgraceful, given that the PAS leader was an elected representative.

“Aren’t you ashamed of tweeting such things? You are an elected representative, not a cyber-trooper. Such tweets have cheap standards indeed,” tweeted rna_nr.

In defending his earlier remarks, Azman said Malaysians can wear whatever they want at home, but in public, they must be mindful of their clothing.

“When we are in public, there are community rights that should be respected. That is why the country has laws and ethics. There is courtesy and morality,” he tweeted.