Twentytwo13

Women’s groups demand Dewan Rakyat take clear stand on intimidating behaviour against women MPs

Several women’s groups in Malaysia have called for a “deeper investigation” into the alleged profanity uttered by a lawmaker in Parliament.

The Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Group, comprising the Joint Action Group for Gender Equality, ENGENDER and Young Women Making Change, said Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman’s alleged actions had created an intimidating, offensive and hostile environment, especially for women MPs who have been subjected to such behaviour, time and again.

“To fail to call such behaviour to a proper account is to condone it,” it said in a statement this evening.

Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon had said that he had referred to the Hansard and legal officers, and ruled that Tajuddin had not used a Malay swear word during the debate on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill on July 20.

Rashid said that based on the Hansard, he had warned Tajuddin and had asked the latter to leave the Dewan Rakyat. As he didn’t specify the time period, Tajuddin was automatically suspended for two days.

Kasthuriraani argued that in her letter to Rashid, she had explained that the microphone was switched off when the word was uttered. She added that nine individuals had heard Tajuddin say the word. As Kasthuriraani continued demanding strict action against Tajuddin, Rashid ordered her to leave the Dewan Rakyat.

The Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Group said it stood in full support of Kasthuriraani.

“The Deputy Speaker has used the excuse that the profanity allegedly uttered by Tajuddin during the debate on the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill last week, was not recorded in the Hansard – presumably because the microphone was switched off. Yet, it has been reported that multiple MPs claimed to have heard him do so.

“We are deeply disappointed that such a move comes in the wake of the passing of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill, 2021 less than a week ago.

“We agree with Kasthuriraani that the Deputy Speaker’s decision sets a grave precedent for similar conduct to be excused in future. At the very least, does this not warrant a deeper investigation into the matter, rather than conveniently shutting down those who have spoken up against it?”

The group called for an immediate investigation to be launched into the matter, and should the facts be substantiated, for proper disciplinary action to be taken against Tajuddin, and any other MP who behaves in such a way.

“The Dewan Rakyat must take a clear and unequivocal stand on intimidating behaviour against women MPs. Stop excusing it.”

In 2008, Tajuddin had used the terms “b******” and “bloody b******” against Ipoh Barat MP, M. Kulasegaran, after the latter said Indian voters in Tajuddin’s constituency were not fond of him. Tajuddin later retracted his statement.

In 2016, Tajuddin, who was then Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister, described Seputeh MP Teresa Kok as the only woman with a ‘kok’ in Seputeh.