'Time to appoint woman as speaker'
An opposition parliamentarian has suggested appointing a woman as speaker of the Dewan Rakyat to ensure that gender sensitivity is truly understood and observed during proceedings.
An opposition parliamentarian has suggested appointing a woman as speaker of the Dewan Rakyat to ensure that gender sensitivity is truly understood and observed during proceedings.
Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong) said this when debating the motion to amend Standing Order 36(4) to cover sexist remarks as words that must be excluded from parliamentary debate.
He argued that only a woman would truly understand the humiliation that women would feel when subjected to sexist remarks.
The motion was tabled yesterday in the wake of sexist remarks that have been made in the House.
The amendment to the standing order states: “It would be an offence for the Members of the House to use inappropriate (foul) language or in making sexist remarks.”
The motion was tabled by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Nazri Abdul Aziz.
In his winding-up speech, Nazri explained that the word sexist was added in the amendment to the standing orders as the word ‘rude’ does not include sexist remark.
“The word sexist is added to explain that MPs are prohibited from making any statements which are sexist as any rude words may not include remarks deemed sexist,” he said.
He said the speaker will determine whether the words used by the elected representative are sexist or otherwise.
Nazri also took into account the proposal made by Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Serdang) that a kindergarten or daycare centre be set up for MPs who have small children. Teo today brought her four-month-old infant to Parliament in driving home a point to respect women’s rights.
