M'sian law minister defends alleged sexist remark

The Straits Times, May 11, 2007


KUALA LUMPUR - MALAYSIA'S law minister on Friday defended two ruling coalition legislators who were accused of being sexist for making a remark about a female opposition lawmaker's menstrual cycle.

On Thursday, Parliament Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib also rejected an opposition motion for disciplinary action to be taken against the two legislators, Mr Bung Mokhtar Radin and Mr Mohammed Said Yusof, from the ruling National Front coalition.

Law Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz said that such remarks were 'part and parcel of parliamentary debate', and women should not be treated with more sensitivity than men.

'As long as there is no ill intention, we should allow for it. Otherwise parliament will be very boring,' he said.

The incident occurred on Wednesday when lawmakers were discussing a complaint by the leader of the opposition Democratic Action Party, Lim Kit Siang, about a water leak in the Parliament building ceiling.

During the debate, Mr Bung Mokhtar said, 'Where is the leak? The member for Batu Gajah also leaks once a month', referring to Mr Lim's party colleague, Ms Fong Po Kuan.

Mr Lim said the other lawmaker then echoed the words, and both men deserve to be punished.

'This is not just a sensitive issue; it's gender offensive,' he said, adding that 'they have dishonoured all women'.

The New Straits Times said Mr Mohammed Said dismissed the matter as a storm in a teacup.

'I said it in the heat of the debate. I don't see what they are fussing about,' he reportedly said. -- AP