PKR Women’s wing chief Zuraida Kamarudin has questioned why Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s government is giving taxpayers’ money to Perkasa, which she called a racist, non-governmental organisation (NGO).

“Since Perkasa has admitted that it has received funds from the government, we want to know where the money comes from and how much,” she said at a media conference in Kuching.

“I will raise the question in the next sitting of Parliament to find out the truth of the matter, and we want to know also why the government is funding a racist and extremist NGO,” said Zuraida, the Ampang MP.

“If it is true that Perkasa receives funds from the government, then this must stop immediately,” she added.

azlan She pointed out that Perkasa seemed to be a very racist NGO with its leaders g always getting awaywithwhat they say.

“The government has no control over Perkasa and its leaders, and they can say anything under the sun without fear of being arrested,” she said.

“Why is the government not taking action against them? We want to know,” she said.

On the issue of sexist remarks by BN leaders, Zuraida said it was silly of them to make such remarks against women.

“Lately PM Najib and Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor were  the latest BN leaders who allegedly uttered sexist remarks against women.

“While Najib wants MCA to take Viagra, Tengku Adnan, when talking about toll hikes, compared properties to women who, when they put on make-up, the price is high.

“I think it is unbecoming of ministers to say such things. I think it is very silly,” she said, pointing out that Tengku Adnan apologised after being pressured by women groups.

‘Abang Johari should also apologise’

She said that likewise Sarawak’s Housing and Tourism Minister Abang Johari Openg should apologise to the DAP's women elected representatives for his “silly” remark during his winding-up debate in the November sitting of the state legislative assembly.

When challenged by Violet Yong (Pending assemblyperson) and Christina Chew (Batu Kawah assemblyperson) to join them to find out the plight of vendors at the Kubah Ria market, Abang Johari said to Violet, “ Belum kawin kah, say masih ada tiga kuota ” (You're not married? I still have quota for three more wives).

Zuraida said that Abang Johari should not have used that kind of remark on a woman representative in the Dewan.

“We are against such remarks, and we will take action against anyone from our party making such remarks,” she said.

“All these male elected representatives should go for gender education so that they will be gender sensitive.

“They cannot treat women as sex objects,” she added.

Zuraida said that in Parliament, the women MPs from Pakatan Rakyat had managed to push through a clause barring sexist remarks in the House.

“Whoever makes such remarks will have to face action,” she added.