After Hansard review, Azhar orders MP to apologise for 'gelap' remark

Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun today instructed Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) to retract his 'gelap' (dark) remark yesterday against Kasthuriraani Patto (DAP-Batu Kawan) in the House.

Azhar, who yesterday declined to make a ruling on the matter, said he had reviewed the Hansard of the incident and concluded that it was offensive.

"I have scrutinised the Hansard on the remarks and I found that the words offensive. I wish to instruct Baling (MP) to apologise and retract the words," said Azhar.

In his reply, Abdul Azeez (below) claimed he was referring to Kasthuriraani's seat location instead of her personally.

"I will comply, but allow me to explain the issue in my capacity as a lawmaker. I have no intention to call anyone dark.

"I sat at the same spot (opposition bench) for two years and we rarely caught the attention of the speaker. Yesterday, I said the place was 'gelap' (dark).

"It is important for the innocent people and netizens out there to know that I have no intention to call anyone dark," he said.

"With this, I retract and apologise," he added.

However, Kashturiraani protested, arguing that Abdul Azeez should not be let off the hook with just a mere apology.

She said Abdul Azeez was a repeat offender in the Dewan Rakyat with a few female lawmakers falling victim to his foul language.

She insisted Abdul Aziz made a racist remark as the latter suggested her to apply powder.

In a press conference later, Kasthuriraani said Abdul Azeez had used 'bocor' (leakage) to refer to a woman's menstrual cycle in Dewan Rakyat in 2015.

He said some women may be leaking when they entered mosques.

Kasthuriraani said she would mull to refer Abdul Azeez to Parliament's Rights and Privilege Committee for disciplinary action.

She added that this would set a precedent for the lawmakers to show proper decorum in the House in the future instead of hurling racist and sexist remark thinking they could get off with an apology.

Earlier, Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) urged the House to make a ruling against Kasthuriraani for uttering 'barua' (lackey) at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.

He raised the matter twice to Azhar when he chaired the sitting in the morning and deputy speaker Azalina Othman Said who came in later.

Azhar did not respond to Shahidan.

Azalina, however, said the speaker would make a ruling on the matter. 

- Mkini