Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) was once again let off the hook for making sexist remarks, this time for insinuating that  the husband of Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR-Ampang) will be fearful of her behaviour in Parliament.

Zuraida today urged the House to refer Bung Mokhtar to the rights and privilegee committee for disciplinary action over what she said were his sexist remarks made last Tuesday.

According to the parliamentary Hansard for June 9, Bung Moktar had said: 'Saya bimbang. Saya tengok laki dia di rumah takut macam ini keadaan . (I am worried. Her husband will be frightened if the situation is like this.)

Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee said Zuraida should have voiced out her disatisfaction on the day itself, to which Zuriada ( photo ) replied she had the benefit of Hansard to prove that Bung Moktar had said it.

Kiandee then ordered Bung to explain, saying MPs shouldn't make remarks about the personal characteristics of a fellow MP.

The Kinabatangan lawmaker then stood up and admitted he had uttered the words and then went on to repeat them, earning the ire of Fauziah Salleh (PKR-Kuantan) who urged him to retract his remarks.

A perplexed Bung then asked: "Why can't I say this?"

Let off the hook - again

Bung Moktar then went on to say his intention was only to calm down Zuraida - who he claimed was behaving aggressively - so that she would have a happy household.

He went on to add that if Zuraida behaved in an aggressive manner, her husband would be suffering in the house.

"I am concerned if she brings her aggressive behaviour back home. If 'no', then Alhamdulillah; if 'yes', then her man will be suffering," he said.

"She is well-known... she was called  mak lampir  (vampire or ghost) in the newspapers," he added.

He also said he had no bad intention towards Zuraida with his remarks and with this, the deputy speaker let him off the hook.

Bung Moktar has a long history of making sexist remarks in the House and among others, targeted Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) once complaining in Parliament about her dress, saying that her knees were uncovered .

In 2007 he caused an uproar over his bocor (leaking) remark in Parliament, aimed at a woman MP and referring to the menstrual cycle but was later ordered to apologise.

'Stupid, irresponsible'

At a press conference later, Pakatan MPs expressed regret that Kiandee was too lenient with the Bung who is BN Backbenchers Club deputy chairperson.

Bung's remark was unparliamentary, childish, stupid and irresponsible, said Fauzi Abdul Rahman (PKR-Indera Mahkota, photo ).

If anyone were to make such remark against Bung’s wife, he would take out his shoes and whack the person who blurted the words, Fauzi claimed.

Fauziah said the House should be more gender-sensitive especially as Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia has called for parliamentary reforms.

"There should not be any personal comments made against MPs," Fauziah said.

Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Kulai) said while male MPs debated the country's policies in the House, one could never say that their wives were pitiful.