Fine MPs for sexist remarks in Dewan Rakyat, says Kasthuri

 

Kasthuri Patto of DAP says fines would prove that sexist remarks were made.

PETALING JAYA: MPs who make sexist remarks in the Dewan Rakyat should be fined at least RM500, says Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto of DAP.

She said the Standing Orders should be amended to allow a minimum fine of RM500 to be imposed on those found using unparliamentary language by the rights and privileges committee.

Kasthuri said such remarks could be considered an offence under the law on parliamentary powers and privileges as a failure or refusal to obey an order of the house and obstructing or impeding proceedings.

“It will be embarrassing if MPs are fined because it will be documented. It will be proof that an MP has uttered unparliamentary remarks in Parliament,” she told FMT in an interview.

She cited the example of Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim describing her as being dark and telling her to use facial powder during a Dewan Rakyat sitting in July 2020.

Such a remark was unacceptable, she said. “An MP shouldn’t say this to a fellow MP. I have just as much right as anyone else (to be in Parliament) because we are all elected (by voters).”

“I don’t appreciate having this kind of language being thrown against me,” she said.

Kasthuri said the onus was on MPs to take responsibility for their words. However, if they did not think they had done something unparliamentary, it was then the Dewan Rakyat Speaker’s obligation to reprimand the MP.

“It’s not a tall order as it is within the job scope of the Speaker to maintain peace and ensure fairness for all MPs.”

Kasthuri hoped to see changes in Parliament so leaders in the future would have a safer space.

“We want to encourage more young people to enter politics and to become MPs. However, you cannot hand over a Dewan Rakyat that cannot manage itself. We have laws in place and we need to sternly enforce them in Parliament.”

In a recent Dewan Rakyat sitting, Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman had been called out for making sexist remarks. The Umno man had accused DAP women MPs of being “biadap” (rude) and “tidak senonoh” (indecent).

He also allegedly used an expletive after switching off the microphone as the ruckus continued. - FMT