Media statement by Teresa Kok Suh Sim in Miri on Friday, 8^th April 2011:

Ibrahim Ali should apologise for his sexist remark and submit himself to gender sensitivity training

Just when we thought Ibrahim Ali, Member of Parliament for Pasir Mas, could not get any more offensive, he sinks to a new low with his sexist remark that the high occurrence of extramarital affairs is the fault of "wives who neglect their responsibilities" to their husbands.

During yesterday's Dewan Rakyat sitting, Ibrahim Ali is reported to have said,"There are times when husbands have urges (ada keinginan)... but when they come home to their wives, they will say, 'wait, I'm cooking', or 'wait, I'm getting ready to visit relatives.¡­ Wives are supposed to stop everything to fulfil their husbands' demands¡­ Husbands driving home after work see things that are sexually arousing (menaikan semangat) and go to their wives to ease their urges (semangat)¡­ So much so there are husbands who go to private places (tempat-tempat yang sulit) to satisfy their urges... this is why I want a proper explanation as to whether wives understand their roles."

Ibrahim's statement reveals his deep-seated sexism which is most disgraceful for an MP. From his statement, it is clear that he has a very low opinion of women. He expects women to present their bodies to their husbands on demand, regardless of how the women may feel, as though women are meant to be unfeeling sex slaves. He is completely insensitive to women¡¯s right to choice what to do or not do with their bodies.

I remind Ibrahim Ali that sexual intercourse that takes place with an unwilling or coerced participant, even between a husband and a wife, is a form of sexual violence and that violence against women (and men) is a crime. It's sexist MPs like Ibrahim Ali's that perpetuate the subordination of women by men, and stand in the way of enacting laws which protect and uphold the dignity of women.

Ibrahim Ali would do well to remember that half of his constituency consists of women. He cannot represent the interests of the women as an MP when he has such a low opinion of women.

Furthermore, Ibrahim Ali's remarks are not only demeaning to women but also to men. He makes out men to be completely lacking in self-control, as though men were animals. He even excuses them for committing adultery which is a most hurtful act of betrayal.

I condemn Ibrahim Ali's remarks unreservedly and urge him to apologise for his sexist remarks and submit himself to gender sensitivity training so that he will not make such mistakes again. If he refuses to do so, I urge the Parliamentary Gender Caucus to reprimand Ibrahim Ali and send a strong message to the public that the Dewan Rakyat does not tolerate such sexist remarks.

* Teresa Kok Suh Sim, Secretary of DAP Wanita, Selangor State Senior EXCO for Investment, Industry & Trade & MP for Seputeh