I refer to the malaysiakini report Errant MPs apologise over sexist remarks . If sexist duo Kinabatangan MP (Bung Mokhtar Radin) and Jasin MP (Mohd Said Yusof) have apologised for their sexist and vulgar 'bocor' remarks as reported today, it would be quite inconsistent with the duo who are known for their buffoonish remarks and failure to apologise for them.

Do the duo understand that by their remarks they have brought shame to almost 50 percent of the citizens of this nation if not almost all who understand shame and feel it? Could it be the Bung-Said duo really not understand shame and thus not try to explain their remarks away in various fashions?

What distresses me is that there are others trying to help them along and waiting for their explanations. But the two are ever ready to say that their remarks were made 'in jest', in the heat of the moment, that anger had got the better of them, etc, etc. Whatever it is, gentlemen do not react in whatever circumstances by insulting their own mothers, sisters, wives and other ladies of the nation.

To explain that their remarks were directed at the MP of Batu Gajah alone gets them neither here nor there. The duo is still guilty of passing sexist, vulgar and disgraceful remarks. The honourable thing to do is to apologise immediately and not wait to be directed to do so and not try to explain things away. And please don't qualify the apology by saying 'if they had actually hurt the ladies' feelings'.

The cabinet has met and has given the Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Jalil the mandate to handle the matter of this sexist duo's remarks. She now says there is 'closure' over the matter with the two's formal apology today.

But Bung Mokhtar Radin and Mohd Said Yusof deserve a stiff punishment. Many are disappointed that the prime minister did not see it fit to handle the duo personally. Being a firm believer in the truth, Islam Hadhari, transparency, honourable behaviour and also the leader of this duo, the PM would be the right and proper person to mete out punishment for the near unforgivable behaviour of these two MPs of his. We should not expect less.