Loke chides DAP veterans for 'highly insensitive' sanitary pad protest

Summary

• DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke chides several Negeri Sembilan party veterans for using sanitary pads to voice their displeasure over concerns that an “outsider” may take up a senator post from the state.

• He also says their action does not represent the entire party.

• Loke adds the Constitution does not state that a Dewan Negara nominee must hail from the state nominating the person’s name.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke berated several Negeri Sembilan party veterans for using sanitary pads to voice their displeasure over concerns that an “outsider” may take up a senator post from the state.

“First of all, the action taken by them is inappropriate… highly insensitive.

“If they are not happy, there are internal channels for them to air their grievances,” he told reporters after launching the Seremban parliamentary-level Merdeka celebration at Chan Wa Secondary School today.

Loke reminded party members that in any political party, major decisions are made by its top leadership, and no decision can please everyone.

“But you cannot take such an action when you’re unhappy with the decision of the leadership.

“Of course, leadership has our considerations when we make decisions, but once a decision is made, then we have to proceed with the decision,” the transport minister said.

‘Selling out’

Yesterday, the Negeri Sembilan DAP Veterans Club slammed the state party committee for allegedly “selling out” Negeri Sembilan people, protesting the awarding of a senator post to an “outsider”.

At a press conference, they wore custom-made “sanitary pad masks” to mock the committee members for their silence over concerns the post would be given to Johor native, Vincent Wu.

According to multiple media reports, more than 50 party veterans and Negeri Sembilan DAP branch representatives were present.

Upset, DAP Women’s wing chief Teo Nie Ching criticised the veterans, condemning the act as a perpetuation of menstrual stigma.

She told Malaysiakini that while the public display of sanitary pads has, in some civic movements, served to challenge period stigma and normalise a natural bodily function, using them as a prop for mockery has the opposite effect.

“Using sanitary pads as tools of attack or ridicule only reinforces the shame and stigma long associated with menstruation,” Teo added.

Views of ‘few members’

Touching on the matter, Loke said the press conference involving the state party veterans consisted of a few members and did not reflect the views of the entire party.

Asked about their grievances over the “outsider”, the DAP leader pointed out that every state can recommend two names to become Dewan Negara members.

And since 2018, DAP and PKR have been allocated one senator post each, adding the Constitution does not mention that the candidate must hail from the state nominating the person.

“Under the Constitution, there’s nothing wrong. As long as he is a citizen of Malaysia. It (Constitution) does not state (the person) must be from that particular state.

“So, whatever we do, it must be based on the Constitution and legal provisions.

“If we did not follow the constitutional provision, the nomination would not be accepted,” Loke mentioned.

Asked if Wu is the candidate, Loke replied: “You will know tomorrow. We will table it at the state assembly.”

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