YOURSAY | ‘He’s unlike his Umno colleagues, who would make one excuse after another.’

'Lesson learned' - minister apologises for 'virgin' remark

Joe Honey: Most of us know that International Trade and Industry Minister Mustapa Mohamed is a no-nonsense minister.

This time he slipped up because he was carried away for reasons best known to himself. To err is human.

Nevertheless, he has to bear the consequences of his sexist remarks as the damage has been done. At any rate, your mother is a woman, an old woman, at that!

The callous behaviour and utterances of some of his ministerial and parliamentary colleagues must have rubbed off on him. In Umno, cases of sexist remarks can fill up volumes of a book.

Mustapa is a gentleman. If my memory serves me right, he is the first minister to have publicly tendered his apology and admitted he was wrong to have made such a thoughtless analogy.

But his ill-mannered and arrogant colleagues, when they are caught with their pants down, would quickly wriggle out of the messy situation with incredible excuses.

Telestai!: I’m very disappointed in Mustapa. When he first came to the political scene, I was very impressed with the way he articulated his views as the then deputy finance minister.

Also, he appeared to be a straight-talking and level-headed guy but all that has changed.

Apologising for his mistakes was the saving grace, but it shows how one can be influenced when you spend too much time with a mob like those in Umno.

Hcleong: Though I hope a new government can administer our country, I have high regards for Mustapa. He is a learned man and carries himself with dignity so far.

He could be trying to be humorous in his opening speech at the townhall session on the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement, but has touched on sensitive nerves.

See how readily he apologised - it reflects his character, as compared to many others who give excuses, say nonsensical things to justify their mistakes and refuse to admit errors.

I think they are learning from their leader. Mustapa is an exception here. I continue to respect you.

Hot Khong: I’m happy to see that Mustapa quickly apologised. It shows that he is a real man.

Unlike his Umno colleagues who would make one excuse after another, for example being misquoted by the media and turtle eggs being high in cholesterol, etc.

Behsaikong: Owning up to an ill-considered "inappropriate analogy" quickly and begging the public's pardon - especially women - is at least the next best thing to do.

This is a lesson for others of his colleagues in the cabinet to learn.

Anonymous #07451242: Mustapa, you are a gentleman. You admit your mistake and openly apologise. Not many ministers, junior or senior, do what you did.

Vijay47: I must salute you, Mustapa, over your almost immediate apology over some unwise words.

More than that, you did not make the usual excuses that Umno leaders are prone to. Your apology comes across as sincere and humble. Yes, let us move on.

LYY: It is a sad commentary on the quality of our ministers when Mustafa’s apology can engender so much praise. The bar is set so low.

Bar flays minister over 'virgin' building remark

Aries46: Mustapa is just 'breaking the ice' with light banter for a more interactive session, which must be appreciated.

I don't see any intention to embarrass or humiliate anyone in the context of his introduction.

Bar Council’s Andrew Khoo is reading too much into the word ‘virgin’ that can have different connotation and is not exclusive to the opposite sex.

Anonymous 29051438068738: "...we just got married yesterday. Still a virgin; not used to it. Before this we were at Jalan Duta for 30 years. After a long time, got divorced and remarried.

“Thirty years in Jalan Duta. It has been a long, long time, so it got boring, fed up, so we moved here. Today is the first day.”

And we are expected to conclude he was only alluding to virgin forests? In that case, he clearly had an audience of perverts.

Seriously though, this is the class of humour our cabinet members are most comfortable and familiar with, thanks to Jakim's yeoman role in promoting whatever it is promoting.

Mano: Please post photos of all in the hall who thought Mustapa's comments were hilarious. We want to see these apes.

Headhunter: Yes, very Umno indeed. Illicit money and sex, that's their preoccupation. That's why the country is in such a mess.

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