Let off despite ‘sexist’ remarks

TWO Government backbenchers were let off the hook despite making sexist remarks following Fong Po Kuan's (DAP – Batu Gajah) observations of leaks in the Parliament building.
And an angry Fong proposed to refer Datuk Mohd Said Yusof (BN – Jasin) and Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN – Kinabatangan) to the Rights and Privileges Committee, saying that their remarks insulted and were derogatory to women.
On Wednesday, Bung Mokhtar was reported saying: “Mana ada bocor, Batu Gajah pun tiap-tiap bulan bocor juga (Where is the leak? Batu Gajah leaks every month too).”
Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib rejected Fong's motion on grounds that she should have filed it when the remarks were made based on Standing Order 26(1)(p).
“The motion was only proposed a day later and, therefore, I have to reject it.
“My advice is that MPs should be careful with their words next time,” he said amidst cheers and the thumping of tables by the backbenchers.
At the Parliament lobby later, Fong said she was disappointed that the motion was rejected as the remarks referred to all women.
Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang said it was a day of shame for Parliament that such a disgraceful episode had been allowed to take place.
The general consensus among MPs was that it was all right to say “women leak every month.”
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said Fong should have taken the matter in her stride.
“It is normal to play with words,” he said, adding that it would be wrong if the statement had been made with malicious intent.
Mohd Said said the statement was made in the heat of the argument.
“I don’t see what the fuss is about,” he said.
Fadillah Yusof (BN – Petra Jaya) said the backbenchers were provoked at that time.
“However, everyone should be careful when making statements,” he said.
Meanwhile, Public Works Department staff showed up early yesterday to survey the damage to the leaky ceiling near the media centre.

tunku : i think people like bung mokhtar,said yusuf od jasin should enter the Raja Lawak Astro programme.they have the quality of comedians not politician.