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Media Statement
by Lau Weng San
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(Petaling Jaya, Monday) : Chew Mei Fun and other BN women MPs should put up an undivided and strong stand by demanding the highest leadership of the BN to strongly deplore and condemn the two sexist BN MPs. 

All Malaysians should have felt utterly disappointed and annoyed by the attitude demonstrated by the two sexist BN MPs yesterday. The gender-desensitized stand took up by the cabinet, which is to direct the two sexist BN MPs to meet the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, does not solve the problem. 

The two sexist BN MPs had initially apologized to everybody, but they withdrawn their apology soon after the cabinet made its decision, and until now, the two stil refused to apology to DAP MP for Batu Gajah, YB Fong Po Kuan, a sign that the two sexist BN MPs have yet to understand that they have to bear full responsibility on their own speech, as well as the two have failed to understand the seriousness of the problem. 

The Cabinet’s decision to refer the matter to the Ministry of Women and Community Development clearly shows that the Cabinet has failed to do justice for all women in Malaysia. If this is just a problem of the women, then what is the purpose for the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development to bring up this matter in the Cabinet? 

It is now the time for BN women MPs to stand up for YB Fong Po Kuan in this crucial moment. When her male counterparts in the DAP, including DAP male MPs, leaders and members are willing to come out in full force to deplore such unacceptable act of the two BN MPs, we do not understand why BN MPs are so “slow-moving” in respect to this matter. 

In fact, when YB Fong Po Kuan tabled the motion to refer the two sexist BN MPs to the Parliament Committee of Priviledges at 10am, 10^th May 2007, the Speaker then decided to decide on the motion at 2:30pm on the day. Therefore, any just-thinking and BN women MPs who claimed to be standing up for justice and solidarity would have attended the Dewan Rakyat proceeding at 2:30pm to show support to the motion, and they should not have absent from the meeting and scurried out from the chamber.  

In this regards, I would like to specifically mention about MCA  MP for PJ Utara and Parliament Secretary for the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, YB Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun who was absent on the demonstraton held outside her ministry by various women NGOs and the Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, YB Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil was also present to show support and solidarity. I personally failed to understand what reasons Chew Mei Fun would have for her to be absent from the event as the event should be regarded as an event of utmost importance in regards to upholding women right. Also, why would she also absent from the Parliament proceeding when MPs were to decide on Po Kuan’s motion at 2:30pm on 10^th May 2007?

(21/5/2007)