Tajuddin’s actions show why we need the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill

 

If we needed a good reason for making into law the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, one has to look no further than Tajuddin Abdul Rahman of Umno, who is the MP for Pasir Salak.

While MPs were debating the bill on July 20, the attention-seeking and provocative Tajuddin denied that he was sexist, claimed that he was a defender of women, and accused the DAP women MPs of using offensive and crude language.

An MP from DAP who responded to his remarks said Tajuddin and two of his fellow MPs were repeat offenders for using obscene and foul language in the Dewan.

Hearing this, a furious Tajuddin went berserk and released another outburst of profanity. Little did he realise that, in doing so, he damaged his own reputation and, ironically, proved the women MPs right about his crudity.

An opposition MP later alleged in a tweet, that Tajuddin had also twice uttered a vulgar insult in Malay while his microphone was turned off. Several MPs within hearing distance had heard his expletives.

Over the years, we have often heard that Tajuddin, and the other two repeat offenders, make many derogatory comments about women; sadly, they are treated with kid gloves, and are rarely punished.

That was how it went on July 20. Instead of suspending Tajuddin for uttering rude words in Parliament, the deputy speaker merely gave him a warning.

Is it any wonder that the deputy speaker, who practices a double standard, cannot command respect from the MPs, and more importantly, cannot restore law and order in the Dewan because of his prejudices?

As deputy speaker, he is supposed to be non-partisan, take no sides, display no political allegiance, and should treat every MP equally.

Malaysian women are frequently the target of sexual harassment, sexual taunts, and demands for sexual favours; some have fallen victim to sexual rumour designed to humiliate and intimidate.

Many experience a high level of sexism in their daily lives: at home, at school, in the workplace, online, over the phone or in the media.

How can women flourish and contribute to society when they are belittled, their confidence undermined, and their future aspirations curtailed? With Tajuddin and others like him often making crude and sexist remarks, many women are often put off from entering politics.

Women are shouted at in the streets, at home, and in Parliament. Their appearance and manner of clothing comes under constant scrutiny, their sexual conduct is questioned – and yet, the worse sexual behaviour of boys and men are deemed acceptable.

Some men are not ashamed of using foul language in Parliament, where there is a media presence, and where visitors may include schoolchildren eager to learn how democracy works.

MPs are expected to have a certain amount of good manners and decorum, and must subscribe to a minimum standard of ethics and behaviour.

How do these foul-mouthed and sexist MPs behave at home, away from the prying eyes of the public? Is sexism commonly there? Or are politicians, like Tajuddin, meek as mice in their own homes?

Malay MPs, principally from Umno, who make sexist comments, forget that they are role models, and that their behaviour and speech are being watched by our youth. Every time they make a sexist comment, they lower the Malay maruah.

Sexist and racist politicians fail to realise that they are insulting others and that they are not setting a good example for the rakyat. Women make up 50% of the population, the workforce, and also the electorate. They deserve our respect.

Do sexist MPs like Tajuddin fear women, or despise them? Or perhaps they fear their own weaknesses even more. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.