Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
News
'Lesson learned' - minister apologises for 'virgin' remark
Published:  Dec 1, 2015 7:54 PM
Updated: Dec 3, 2015 1:37 AM

International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamad expressed regret for making a “sexist” remark at a townhall meeting today, by likening the new ministry building to an “inexperienced virgin”.

“I humbly apologise for offending anyone including women with my inappropriate analogy at the event.

“As head of staff, a husband and a father, I always respect women’s contribution to the country and to myself, in high regard…

“I regret what happened and this will be a lesson for me. I hope the matter will no longer be prolonged,” he said in a statement.

Bar Council human rights committee member Andrew Khoo today flayed Mustapa for describing the new ministry building as an “inexperienced virgin”, while the old building an old wife who is no longer exciting and is to be discarded.

He said this to laughter in his opening remarks at the townhall meeting on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement.

Explaining further, Mustapa said his secretary-general and one of the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s deputy secretary-general are women.

“In fact, when I was higher education minister, I appointed the first women vice-chancellor, and two more female vice-chancellors after that,” he said.

Related reports

Bar flays minister over 'virgin' building remark

Miti’s townhall session on TPPA annoys NGOs

Mustapa: TPPA cost-benefit analyses completed

Malaysia can exit TPPA with no penalty, says Mustapa

ADS