14 May 2007

YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak,

Timbalan Perdana Menteri,

Aras 4, Blok Barat, Bangunan Perdana Putra,

Pusat Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,

62502 Putrajaya

Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Sri,

DAP express anger and outrage of all women and right-thinking Malaysians both here and throughout the world at the appalling behaviour of two BN MPs who displayed deep-seated prejudices and contempt for women. On 9 May 2007 in Parliament, YB Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN – Kinabatangan) and YB Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN – Jasin), uttered this now infamous remark against YB Fong Poh Kuan (DAP – Batu Gajah) while they were in a heated argument over the ceiling leakage in the Parliament building.   

“Mana ada bocor? Batu Gajah pun bocor tiap-tiap bulan juga (Where is the leak? The Batu Gajah MP leaks every month too)”   

This remark is not only highly offensive against YB Fong but demeaning towards all women. Both BN MPs have a dismal record of a serial offender of sexist remarks that dispalyed outright contempt, mockery and even hostility towards women.  

For instance a four-letter profanity was used against a DAP woman six years ago and a sexist-tainted boleh masuk sikit? (Can I come in a little?) remark in his attempt to seek clarification from Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng during a parliamentary debate. Clearly such serial offensive behaviour suggests that counseling is necessary to remedy whatever imbalances afflicting these two BN MPs. 

Such boorish behaviour is unacceptable and a disgrace to the dignity of Parliament. To preserve the status as the supreme institution of the land where the people’s representatives deliberate issues affecting the people and enacting laws that determine the country’s future, there is no place of MPs who show no respect for women. 

We urge YB Dato Seri to uphold the dignity and saying “No” to derogatory remarks against women by sacking the two sexist BN MPs who has become infamous throughout the world for making fun of women’s biological and natural functions. A full withdrawal and public apology is no longer sufficient as both MPs must be severely punished as an example of Malaysian society’s rejection of such disgraceful behaviour. 

We hope that YAB Dato’ Seri would not look at this issue from a politically-partisan point of view but also as a husband, father of daughters and a dutiful son to his mother as well as a national leader encompassing women.  

Malaysia’s image as a democratic country that promotes moderation and rejects extremism has been adversely affected by such remarks that have made Malaysia famous world-wide for the wrong reasons. International women groups have issued worldwide condemnation. 

Stern action must be taken to show that Malaysian leaders are serous-minded people who are not discriminatory in race, religion or gender and that there is no place for aspiring leaders who harbour offensive prejudices towards one’s race, religion or gender. 

Restore the dignity of both women and Parliament!

Yours faithfully,

LIM GUAN ENG

SECRETARY-GENERAL

(14/5/2007)