PKR Women hits out at Baling MP over 'dark, powder' remark
The PKR women's wing has hit out at Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim for his allegedly racist and sexist jibe aimed at Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto during the Dewan Rakyat proceedings today.
PKR Women vice-chief Sangetha Jayakumar (above) said Azeez's remark clearly shows the Umno lawmaker's true character and identity.
The PKR women's wing has hit out at Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim for his allegedly racist and sexist jibe aimed at Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto during the Dewan Rakyat proceedings today.
PKR Women vice-chief Sangetha Jayakumar (above) said Azeez's remark clearly shows the Umno lawmaker's true character and identity.
"(It also) continues the tradition of the past (BN) administration that has a penchant for racist and sexist acts," she said in a statement.
Azeez had sparked an outcry when he interjected Kasthuriraani's attempt to seek clarification from newly minted Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun on why the new selection committee line-up did not have any women.
"Dark (gelap), can't see," said Azeez, who when prompted by Jelutong MP RSN Rayer to retract his statement further rebutted, "I'm dark and can't be seen too. YB is dark too. Dark is not an issue."
"I did not say this particular YB or that particular YB is dark. I'm dark too. Just use powder (bedak), problem solved," he added.
Sangetha said PKR Women regretted that no women MPs from Perikatan Nasional (PN) had spoken up against Azeez's (above) remark.
"Such an incident also reflects on how the role of women has never been an important agenda for PN, as they are only interested in fighting for power and securing important positions," she claimed.
The incident also caught the attention of women's rights groups including the All Women's Action Society (Awam).
"We stand in solidarity with YB Kasthuriraani. It is utterly unbelievable that we have representatives, ie the Baling MP, in our esteemed Parliament who speaks like a 10-year-old bully.
"What a shame to the institution, what a shame for all Malaysians," Awam said.
The youth group Challenger Malaysia, meanwhile, said the exchange in the Dewan Rakyat today underscored its demand for more women and youths to occupy the country's political space and “cleanse the Dewan Rakyat of toxic and immature politics”.
“The Baling constituency needs a leader who is mature and capable, not an MP who is obsolescent and racist.
“His statement shows that he does not take women and people who are not his kind in Baling into consideration,” it said in a statement today.
Azeez eventually retracted his comments and Azhar maintained that there was no need to make a ruling as Azeez had taken back the remarks.
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