'Less pretty women' should be given priority in employment, according to Pasir Mas MP Ismail Noh of PAS who made this remark during an exchange with a minister.

It started when Ismail was debating the Budget 2007 on matters involving the Rural and Regional Development Ministry this afternoon in the Dewan Rakyat.

As he talked about problems of poverty, it attracted the attention of Natural Resources and Environment Minister Azmi Khalid.

In a rare move, the minister stood up and interjected that since Ismail was against poverty, then there was no rationale for the PAS-led Kelantan government to prevent pretty woman from being allowed to work.

The minister said this would help reduce poverty in Kelantan, where Ismail's constituency is located.

Responding, Ismail said: "I don't know who started this statement, we have never stopped anyone from working..."

Azmi immediately reminded Ismail that the statement had been made by Kelantan government leaders.

Women should look after family

Apparently recalling that statement, Ismail told Azmi not to misconstrue the "good intentions" for the remark by Kelantan Menteri Besar Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat.

"(Nik Aziz's remark) was meant to create a good working environment in the state and (to highlight) that certain jobs are also not suitable for women, such as working at night... it is dangerous."

Ismail read out an Islamic verse which says women are created to look after the family, but Azmi was seen shaking his head.

Citing another example, Ismail said: "If there are two women and one is pretty and one is less pretty, then of course the pretty one will be given a lot of opportunities (in employment). Thus the priority should be given to the less pretty women and that is our intention."

He then moved on to another topic.