The over 300 people who attended the public forum “Respect Women’s Dignity Towards a 1st World Parliament” at YMCA Hall, Kuala Lumpur last night unanimously agreed that the two sexist Barisan Nasional (BN) MPs, Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (Jasin) and Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (Kinabatangan) had been guilty of unacceptable sexual harassment and dishonour of DAP MP for Batu Gajah, Fong Po Kuan, shaming Parliament, Malaysian women and the nation’s international reputation with their crude, vulgar, sexist gender-offensive remarks in Parliament last week — compounded by their low farce of “apology to Po Kuan and all Malaysian women, then only to Malaysian women but not to Po Kuan, and then not even to Malaysian women” on Cabinet day on Wednesday.
The public forum agreed that the suitable penalty for the duo is the following five-point punishment:
1. Six-month suspension as MP.
2. Six-month community service with women groups.
3. Donation of the their entire parliamentary allowance during suspension to women groups.
4. Full apology to Fong Po Kuan and Malaysian women.
5. If no full apology, the six-month suspension and community service to be extended to 12 months.
The forum decided that its decision be conveyed to the Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, before she meets up with the two errant BN MPs at 10 am the next day on Friday (18th May).
To implement the five-point penalty, the forum decided that its decision should receive endorsement by the following:
- Cabinet Committee on Gender Equality.
- Parliamentary Caucus on Gender Equality.
- Cabinet.
- Parliament — with a motion on June 18 (the first day of next meeting) to directly mete out the five-point penalties for the two sexist BN MPs, without any reference to the Committee of Privileges.
The forum also decided on the following:
- Call on the relevant state awarding authorities to strip the two sexist BN MPs of their “Datuk” titles, which had been dishonoured by them.
- Apologies should be tendered by the following who had either supported or condoned the abominable male-chauvinist misconduct of the two BN MPs —
1. Fadilan Yusuf (BN MP — Petrajaya).
2. Idris Haron (BN MP — Tangga Batu).
3. Datuk Shahrir Samad — BN MP — Johor Baru).
4. Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz – Minister in Prime Minister’s Department..
5. Datuk Seri Najib Razak — Deputy Prime Minister.
- Call on all political parties to adopt Code of Conduct requiring gender-sensitivity as a criteria for selection of candidates for Parliamentary and State Assembly elections.
- Gender-sensitisation programme for all MPs — and the inclusion of the subject of “gender-sensitisation of Parliamentarians” as a specific topic in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Conference 2008 to be held in Malaysia.
- Gender-sensitisation of Cabinet Ministers.
- Launch of a People’s Parliament movement to spread to all corners of the country the message of the “Respect Women’s Dignity Towards A 1st World Parliament” forum.
#1 by pulau_sibu on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 8:36 am
are they above the law during parliament session?
if not, lodge a sexual harassment complaint against them
#2 by eantautjk on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 8:45 am
Any where we can get the list of MPs who were also in the House when the comment were made. Would really like to know which MPs cheered and supported the Speaker’s decision not to act on Bung and Said.
#3 by Jimm on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 9:23 am
BN MPs have certain priviledges and ‘immunity’ against Opposition. Not one of them can imagine how this matter cannot be ‘contained’ within their power. 4th Floor are truly ‘shocked’ with the public responses to this and the issue have reached world wide attention.
Those two MPs cannot withdraw their statements or acting as it’s being recorded during the Parliament session.
Now, I believe BN MPs will vote to disallow all Parliament session to be recorded as to avoid this kind of ‘not actually sensitive’ remarks blown out of control and make the public react.
#4 by TheWrathOfGrapes on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 9:24 am
Parliamentary privilege…
#5 by fullofdarkness on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 10:12 am
Haha… this arrogant BN head will agree with this penalty or not… I strong beleive they will say NO “yes” to the above punishment….
As a human, I agree that we will do wrong… but when we do wrong we still insist that we right… that is unacceptable…
Ok, both sexist MP, if you think you are right, keep on this humour again.. in coming parliment meeting, see both of you will get penalty or not… if this is accpetable, that mean in future, who ever MP, from BN, DAP, Keadilan, PAS and other MPs can take this as a joke… don’t you think this is a kind of serious matter, now even US know that Malaysia have such “humour” MPs… i personally feel shy for this… words can come out unintensionally, but once you do wrong admit and promise will not do it again… I strong beleive that, both of them are willing to change the attitude, all of the rakyat will forgive them… if they appoligise due to force by cabinet or any minister, the appoligise is meaningless… and this is just a formallity… Is like a father ask his son to say sorry, and the son don’t know what the purpose… Cabinet educate them not force them… I learn this from school, the school is provide by the goverment…
Because of parliment certain rule that make us can subpoena them to a special board (any one know what is the board name and function kindly let me know)… but we are human, we know how to think, and if they are not wrong why don’t let them judge by the board.
We as Rakyat, just want the fair treatment… but it difficult… :-(
#6 by Taiko on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 10:16 am
I don’t think some of the recommendations are realistic. It will be seen by the members of BN, especially UMO, as a mean to humiliate them rather than addressing the sexist remark.
Therefore, a fine and an apology should suffice. More than that would render the pressure groups looked infantile.
#7 by Cinnamon on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 10:21 am
YB Po Kuan/Lim Kit Siang,
These MPs need to be taught a lesson which will also serve as a warning to the rest.
Having this kind of gatherings and sending a petition will not help much. Go beyond that.. they will bow to pressure only to the international community.
Talk to the EU folks, talk to Women’s Right organizations in US, Australia, etc. Ask them to support your effort. Make it big at international level. Ask these groups to tell their respective country’s imigration department to revoke these people’s visa. Ban these people from entering their countries.
Make these guys a shame to their family and they will into history as badly brought up men with no common sense in dignity.
#8 by united07 on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 10:28 am
Dear Datuk Lim,
From the online petition that I have started on the 11th May, I have gathered about 480 signatures.
Only 479 have voted in the petition and out of that 96.2% (461) have voted for these two MPs to be sacked.
Petition available at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/whymycountry/
#9 by proz on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 10:35 am
I am not being none supportive but,
Dream on, i don’t think this will ever happen here……….
Just wait and see.
#10 by Godfather on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 11:56 am
Of course they are above the law. Ask what happened to Zakaria or close-one-eye Mat Said. If stealing can be condoned, then gender abuse is just some small matter.
#11 by hawaiichee on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 12:36 pm
There was a female commented that the 2 MPs were typical Malay chauvinist. Then, came the term MMCP – Malay Male Chauvinist Pig. Now, I am sure many will take offense. Sabar dik … lets look at the situation in a civil manner and evaluate the backgrounds of this claims. Also it is good to be objective if there is any improvements needed for the good of Malaysia.
1. Do Malays by tradition and custom plays women on a lower ground than men?
2. Do Malays by tradition find it funnier to raise gender insensitive jokes?
Since this is a topic of male treatment towards female, let us talk about tne comment about “typical Malay chauvinistsâ€Â. The question is do Malays put women on equal grounds with men.
1. Are there women leaders in the mosque/surau?
2. Why do women cover their heads? What does that symbolise? Does it symbolise a lower position?
3. And if that is ingrained in Malay culture, what are Malay male response towards this culture especially in growing feminism trend throughout the world? If it is based on a culture and tradition, at least it takes modern minds to break out of this tradition and give women the equal grounds they deserve.
Maybe the female blogger made the remark about “typical Malay chauvinists†from experience. Let us hear from other bloggers.
ARE MALAY MALE MORE CHAUVINIST THAN OTHER RACES? This may seem like a racist discussion but how can we improve Malaysia if we do not think, discuss and share our opinions so that others may hear the opinions and buck up and make Malaysia a better place.
#12 by Winston on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 12:45 pm
Uncle Lim, by all means get these two culprits punished to the maximum penalty possible.
However, doing so will only be an ad hoc measure; the whole BN is rotten.
Ultimately, I think that the job of booting out the BN will rests with you as you are our best bet!
#13 by PureMalaysian on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 12:56 pm
Proz is right: I will let anyone kick my ass if that two “MCP” MPs adhere to the five point punishment! Dream on… nothing can stop the BN in this bodoh-land. All becoz the people are not cooperative enough; everyone thinks that so long as trouble doesnt come unto him/her, everyday goes on as normal; we still get our salary, our kids still go overseas to study… why go and “find trouble” with the BN guys?
Thats why, all these written here are just merely a media to channel our anger, thats all. Tomorrow will still be another whole new day for all of us. Period.
#14 by Jonny on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 1:15 pm
Fat chance to get them suspended. Not only Jasin, all MPs also practice close one-eye. Business as usual.
We shall see.
#15 by daniel on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 2:02 pm
HR Minister, Fong Chan Onn issued a warning to employers about sexual harassment in the workplace, yesterday. Pls tell him not to be a hypocrite and to put their own house in order before preaching to others what they do not and will not practise themselves.
#16 by winc on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 4:59 pm
“Thats why, all these written here are just merely a media to channel our anger, thats all. Tomorrow will still be another whole new day for all of us. Period.” – PureMalaysian
This is not true PureMalaysian. At least we do not get distorted or “re-packaged” information in regards to the on-going political scene of the nation. We are aware the next GE is near and since now we are better informed, not only me but my family and friends will know who their votes should go to. Tommorow will not just be another whole new day but a more meaningful day.
#17 by DarkHorse on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 7:19 pm
Hawaiichee,
“Male chauvinism†would be a misnomer if applied only to the Malays on the strength of their culture alone. There is no dearth of “male chauvinist pigs†for want of a better term among the other races. It has nothing to do with race. It has everything to do with religion and its impact on culture and tradition.
You can accuse, for example, the Jews and the Mormons of being the same. The Mormons look upon their women as less than their equals, as weak and needing protection from the men, depending on their men for leadership and be their teacher in life. The Jews look upon their women as being different from the men. Values such as these can be found among orthodox Jews who feel that the place of women is in the home, raising their families and educating them – working outside the home only when necessary.
In Jewish synagogues you find the women physically separated from the men. Muslims likewise treat their women “as not their equals†– for want of a better term. In mosques and suraus you see women praying in different parts of the hall physically separated from their male counterparts – much like the Jews do. They are not allowed to pray together with the men. The way they treat their women is the same way women have been treated through the ages – according to the teachings of the Old Testament.
The Mormons are polygamous taking on many wives, marrying under aged children of their wives who are not their daughters, and taking care of the wives who have lost their husbands etc.
As far as Jews and Muslims are concerned, it is not a matter just of culture and tradition but religion. Both believe in the Old Testament. The Torah is the first five chapters of the Christian Bible. In the chapter on ‘Genesis’ there are references that God did not create Eve to be Adam’s equal.
Chinese are none of the above i.e. neither Christians, Jewish nor Muslims. That does not mean they do not take on multiple women as their partners. They may marry only one wife but may have as many as a couple mistresses if they can afford it. This tends to be the norm among successful businessmen. Religion has no role here.
Confucianism, Buddhism and Hinduism and Taoism are not religions in the way Christianity, Judaism and Islam are. Christianity, Judaism and Islam share the same Old Testament prophets.
This equality of the sexes, some would say, is a fairly recent ‘invention’. Remember that women were never given the right to vote until the turn of the last century – in the 1920s in the U.K. That is very recent. Prior to that they are treated as less than equals.
Christians were marrying cousins until the last century – like Muslims today. Polygamous marriage is allowed in the Old Testament (Koran) and Jesus Christ in the New Testament did not say anything about monogamy or polygamy or women being equal to men.
It has nothing to do with race.
#18 by undergrad2 on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 7:31 pm
Continued politicization of this issue will backfire on the DAP.
It certainly is not going to win more votes from the Malay Muslim women or Muslims generally. They are not about to rebel against their religious values and tradition. There are feminists among them, mostly western educated and are mostly professionals. But even they do not see the wisdom of rising against old traditional conservative Muslim values.
Continued politicization of the issue will only serve to alienate them more from the DAP.
The behavior of the MPs concerned is unacceptable and must be censured. But that is as far as it should go.
#19 by DiaperHead on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 7:41 pm
Why one six months community service?? They should be made to dispose off used sanitary napkins in the not-so-old Old Folks Home.
#20 by DiaperHead on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 7:42 pm
only sorry
#21 by PureMalaysian on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 7:53 pm
“Tommorow will not just be another whole new day but a more meaningful day.” — winc
I really hope that will be true; when BN fork out another few millions in the next GE campaign, I am 100% sure they will win AGAIN… and AGAIN… and AGAIN. There is very little DAP or other oppositions can do when it comes to money politics.
I am sure the vast majority wont mind getting that extra cash to cast a vote for BN — RM200 may mean little to u and me, but possibly a month’s salary for the majority in the suburbs.
So what plan is there to MAKE ppl start voting out BN in the upcoming GE? I see only a slim chance in the end of the tunnel.
#22 by accountability on Friday, 18 May 2007 - 8:03 pm
forget it uncle Kit, you cannot change/educate these sexist and racist UMNO cronies…
#23 by hawaiichee on Saturday, 19 May 2007 - 12:13 pm
Dark Horse
Well written observations. Though religion and racial traditions – can form structures that continue to bind woman to their positions in the society. With the rise of blogs, we can break these traditions and structures by raising awareness and dissent and breaking these structures or at least modernize them or allow the community to break free from them.
There should be total liberation to decide what one wants of his or her life.