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Mahadzir Khir should be gender-sensitized for his insensitive jibe Media Conference Statement by Teresa Kok (Parliament House, Tuesday): I wish to express my displeasure at the insensitive jibe by the parliamentary secretary to the Education Ministry, Datuk Mahadzir Khir at my marital status during debate in Parliament yesterday.  Such remarks are improper as Parliament is a forum for the debate of issues of national importance where personal matters, which are of a private nature, should be left alone. Whether a woman MP is single or married is irrelevant to the subject matter of the debate – on improving the command of English among students – and it certainly does not affect her ability to serve her constituents effectively.   Firstly, Mahadzir’s behaviour reveals his personal weakness since he apparently is not able to treat women as an individual who can stand on her own two feet and have her own views, but must be married off to a man before her value and capability can be recognized.   Secondly, Mahadzir’s conduct shows that sexual harassment and vulgarity are not confined to any level of society since even a former university professor like Mahadzir who is supposedly highly educated and well read could be guilty of having such attitude. His open display of sexist tendency and distasteful inferences by using double-ended phrases like 'tarik' and 'masuk' to insinuate sexual acts in order to shame and embarrass his women counterparts are most unforgivable.   This is not the first time such a thing has happened in Parliament. Locker-room language was freely used by BN male MPs when addressing women MPs from the opposition or when trying to describe the relationship between two opposition parties.   It is unfortunate that none of such incidents were properly addressed by the House Speakers or the Parliamentary Privilege committee. This is why after more than two years since the House was convened, we are still forced to suffer yet another shameful and chauvinistic conduct by the parliamentary secretary.   This has again highlighted the need for male MPs who are guilty of untoward behaviour to their female colleagues to be sent for gender-sensitivity courses so that they can learn how to respect and treat women properly.   I also urge the Speaker of the House to play his role and take the necessary steps to redeem and protect the dignity of Parliament by penalizing male MPs who utter discriminatory and gender-insensitive remarks in order to stop such disease from spreading any further.     (9/11/2002) * Teresa Kok Suh Sim,  MP for Seputeh and DAP Women Secretary