18 May 2007

Y.B. Dato’ Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil

Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga Dan Masyarakat

Aras 1-6, Blok E

Kompleks Pejabat Kerajaan Bukit Perdana

Jalan Dato' Onn

50515 Kuala Lumpur.        

                                                                      BY HAND

Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri,

10-point resolution to uphold women’s dignity towards a first world Parliament 

We are instructed by the participants and the major women organizations at a “Uphold Women’s Dignity, Towards A First World Parliament” forum in YMCA Hall in Brickfields Kuala Lumpur on 17^th May to convey the following 10 points for immediate action from YB during the meeting with YB Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN – Kinabatangan) and YB Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN – Jasin) at 10 am today. 

1. That the meeting OBSERVES that the remarks on 9 May 2007 in Parliament by both BN MPs against YB Fong Poh Kuan (DAP – Batu Gajah) while they were in a heated argument over the ceiling leakage in the Parliament building, is highly offensive and demeaning towards all women as well as a form of sexual harassment towards YB Fong in her performance of her duties.
2. FURTHER OBSERVES that both BN MPs have a dismal record as a serial offender of sexist remarks that displayed outright contempt, mockery and even hostility towards women.
3. AFFIRMS that Parliament should be a forum for serious discussion where issues that affect Malaysians and the country’s future in a reasoned and rational manner instead of being perverted to spew demeaning insults based on one’s race, gender or religion.
4. HEREBY RESOLVES that YB seeks that:-

a) both MPs unconditionally and unreservedly withdraw and apologise to both YB Fong Po Kuan and all women for such unacceptable behaviour that is contrary to social, cultural and religious norms of Malaysian society; and

b) severe penalties be meted out against both BN MPs in the form of suspension for a period of 6 months as a Member of Parliament, 6 months community service in a women NGO, 6 months MP’s allowance be donated to women NGO groups and be stripped of their Datukships;

c) both MPs be required to attend counseling to remove their innate hostility and prejudice against women;

d) a Cabinet Committee on Gender Equality and a Parliament Caucus on Gender Equality be established to remove discriminatory practices both in and outside Parliament;

e) a full apology be made by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Nazri Aziz and UMNO MPs for Petrajaya, Tangga Batu, Johor Baru for defending both MPs, looking at it from a humorous perspective and promoting their right to utter such offensive language as freedom of speech;

f) a Code of Conduct be adopted by all political parties prescribing criteria that proscribe any candidates with a past history of prejudice and discrimination against women; and

g) courses on gender sensitization be given to all elected representatives and members of the Cabinet.

To this purpose a People’s Parliament comprising of concerned citizens and netizens shall spread the message of upholding women’s dignity and upgrading the personal standards and qualities of MPs. We trust that YB would perform your duty without fear or favour.  

Restore the dignity of both women and Parliament!

Yours faithfully, 

LIM GUAN ENG

SECRETARY-GENERAL

(18/5/2007)