KKB polls: 'Don't be a sexist,' Fahmi tells Afif over 'proxy' remarks

KUALA LUMPUR: Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil has slammed Bersatu supreme council member Dr Afif Bahardin for making sexist remarks against Pakatan Harapan’s Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election candidate Pang Sock Tao.

Fahmi, who is also the unity government spokesman, said this when responding to Dr Afif's video on Instagram recently which claimed that Pang, 31, was only selected due to her role as a "proxy" for Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

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"I think it’s almost as though Afif is not recognising that a woman candidate can stand on her own two feet. How can he come out and say that she (Pang) is anybody's proxy? She is her own person; just look at her track record.

"Afif is a doctor, you know. So use your mind, think clearly. It is as though you are a misogynist. Respect women candidates. If anything, we should be encouraging more women to come out and contest. Don’t be a sexist, Afif,” said the PKR information chief.

He said this after attending the National Journalists’ Day (Hawana) 2024 Strategic Partners meet-and-greet event at Wisma Bernama here on Tuesday (April 30).

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Pang, who is Pekan Ampang DAP branch publicity secretary, previously served as a news presenter for DAP’s UbahTV and Nga’s press secretary, among other career highlights.

The Kuala Kubu Baharu state seat fell vacant following the death of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong, 58, of DAP on March 21 due to cancer.

The by-election will see a four-cornered clash involving Pang, Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional), Hafizah Zainuddin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia) and Nyau (Independent).

The Election Commission has set May 11 as polling day and May 7 for early voting.

Meanwhile, when asked about the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s questioning of Perlis Mentri Besar Mohd Shukri Ramli to help in investigations into alleged power abuse, Fahmi said MACC should be given space to conduct a thorough probe professionally.

"I believe MACC will follow the process and provisions of the law. We would like to urge all parties to be patient and give space to them to conduct the investigations,” he added.- Bernama