When we are asked to vote our Members of Parliament, we must choose good people who respect others, and do not publicly use unacceptable language, be it racist, sexist, etc > STOP voting just on the basis of which party a person is contesting under. Look at the character of the people you vote for they are our representatives...
What do you think of a person who makes a remark to a dark skinned person - 'dark cannot see'? Or to a fair person, 'too bright, let me put on my sun glasses'? What about those use used racist or derogatory terms in reference to some other human persons?
On the first day of Parliament, when MP Kasthuri was questioning as to why there were no women in a some Parliamentay Committee, UMNO's Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling] interjected saying 'Dark cannot see' (Gelap tidak nampak)...Then, later an MP asked him to withdraw that 'Dark cannot see' remark..
Then MP Abdul Azeez later on also said that he too was dark cannot see (Saya pun gelap, tidak nampak.)
Then he also said later, that he did not say she was dark, I did not say this MP is dark or that MP was dark...I said dark, I too am dark, so put on powder (saya tidak menyatakan bahawa beliau gelap. Saya tidak kata Yang Berhormat ini, Yang Berhormat ini gelap. Saya kata gelap, saya pun gelap, pakailah bedak
In any event, a lot of time wasted in Parliament on this issue - partly due to maybe the lack of a prompt and decisive action by the new Speaker - in any event, the following day, apparently the Speaker ruled on the issue... and asked for an 'apology'?
Time in parliament is precious - and really MPs should 'behave' - respect when another is speaking, and follow decorum...
An MP fighting for his/her right to speak is not wrong - for today, the Speaker decides who is given a chance to speak or not, and there are limitation as to the number of questions which will be entertained > all this means that some MPs with good points to make may not get a chance to speak...REFORMS are needed in Parliament for sure.
*** NOTE - an extract of the Hansard as follows, look at the entire Hansard for the day on this issue OR see the complete VDO clip of the Parliamentary proceedings for the actual words used.{Parliament Website should have the VDO of all parliamentary proceedings - so the public could easily look and see what really happened. It is also good to listen, for those who cannot read)
The conduct and language of our Parliamentarians are 'embarassing' at times. We expect proper arguements and debates. MPs should not 'disrupt' when another MP is speaking especially with remarks like 'dark cannot see'.
PETALING JAYA: The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) condemned the remark made by Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim against Kasthuri Patto (pic) about her skin colour, and urged for further disciplinary action against him.
“Members of Parliament interrupt each other regularly and this is always acceptable if done within civilised and regulatory bounds.
“Abdul Azeez was and is at all times free to disagree with Kasthuri’s views.
“However, Abdul Azeez made what could be described as deplorable personal attacks against Kasthuri, suggesting that she cannot be seen because of her skin colour, and that she should apply powder in order to be visible, ” JAG said in a statement on Tuesday (July 14).
The Batu Kawan MP had questioned in Monday’s Dewan Rakyat sitting why there were no women included in the Select Committee.
Abdul Azeez, who is Baling MP, had then said ‘Tak nampaklah, gelap (It is dark, I cannot see)’, and
‘I am also dark. So wear powder. What is the problem?’ after an uproar by Opposition MPs.
During Tuesday’s sitting, Abdul Azeez apologised and retracted his remarks, after being ordered by Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to do so.
JAG said lawmakers were to discuss issues brought up by other MPs and to protect the interests of the rakyat in such debates.
“When a male MP makes personal attacks against a woman MP, explicitly or implicitly, and gets away with it in Parliament, it sends a very loud message that Parliament accepts the bad behaviour of male MPs with impunity.
“This is not the first time that JAG has observed personal attacks against women MPs made by male MPs that are rooted in much larger issues such as sexism, misogyny, patriarchy, gender inequality, as well as ageism.
“A mere retraction of such statements does not address how such remarks continue to shape a negative perception and attitude towards female MPs, ” it said.
It called for further disciplinary action to be pursued against Abdul Azeez as his remarks were not only personally offensive towards Kasthuri, but towards all Malaysians.
“Malaysians are constantly told to tread delicately around the issue of racism. We witnessed firsthand its unfortunate offshoot, colourism, rearing its ugly head.
“The remarks are a slap in the face for all Malaysians who believe in equality of persons regardless of race, colour, age or gender.
“Parliament must not allow any semblance of racism, colourism and sexism in its proceedings. To treat these with impunity is to betray our vote, ” it said.
The statement was endorsed by 13 JAG member organisations. - Star, 14/7/2020
New Speaker Azhar makes Azeez apologise for ‘gelap’ remark
Rajvinder Singh /
14 Jul 2020 / 15:24 H.
KUALA LUMPUR: Newly-appointed Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun has ordered Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim to apologise to Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto for the offensive remarks he directed at her during Monday’s sitting.
He said he came to the decision after looking at the Dewan Rakyat Hansard and found that the word “gelap” (dark) used by Abdul Azeez was offensive.
He added that the recommendation that she “pakai bedak” (use facial powder) were unparliamentary and offensive.
“I want YB Baling to apologise and retract that statement,“he said in a ruling yesterday.
After the Speaker’s orders, Abdul Azeez said he will comply but wished to explain himself.
He explained that he had no intention to call anyone “gelap” (dark) and neither did he have any intention of using a racist slur on anyone.
“I sat in that same spot for two years, that area is very dark, it usually doesn’t receive any attention from the Speaker.
“When I said dark, I meant the area is dark, it’s not very visible. I think it’s important for netizens to know that I wasn’t calling any person dark because Allah has made me dark too. So, there’s no reason for me to call anyone dark.
“However, I retract my statement and I apologise,” said Abdul Azeez.
Boos could be heard in the background as he made his apology.
The war of words and sexist remarks came up after Kasthuriraani questioned why there were no women named in the Parliament Select Committee.
There was an uproar as Abdul Azeez made the comments to Kasthuriraani with Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh interjecting asking Abdul Azeez to apologise.
Azhar then advised lawmakers to be careful with their words and to avoid sexist, racist, offensive and unparliamentary terms.
Kasthuriraani stood up and thanked Azhar for his decision but pressed him for a harsher penalty against Abdul Azeez.
She accused the backbencher of being a repeated offender when it comes to sexist and racist statements.
Kasthuriraani during a press conference later pointed out that this is not the first time the Baling MP had made such remarks.
She said in 2014 and 2015 he had used the word “pondan” in the Dewan but was let off lightly.
“It has been eight years since the Parliamentary Standing Orders had been amended but vulgar, racist and sexist remarks continue to roll off the tongues of some unrepentant MPs,“ she said.
She hoped such remarks would be the last of this kind of unparliamentary language in the Dewan.
Housing and Local Government Minster Zuraida Kamaruddin, representing Perikatan Nasional females MPs, said she hoped this would be the last time such sexist remarks were made in the Dewan.
She said action should be taken against those who make such remarks. - The Sun Daily, 14/7/2020
What do you think of a person who makes a remark to a dark skinned person - 'dark cannot see'? Or to a fair person, 'too bright, let me put on my sun glasses'? What about those use used racist or derogatory terms in reference to some other human persons?
On the first day of Parliament, when MP Kasthuri was questioning as to why there were no women in a some Parliamentay Committee, UMNO's Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling] interjected saying 'Dark cannot see' (Gelap tidak nampak)...Then, later an MP asked him to withdraw that 'Dark cannot see' remark..
Then MP Abdul Azeez later on also said that he too was dark cannot see (Saya pun gelap, tidak nampak.)
Then he also said later, that he did not say she was dark, I did not say this MP is dark or that MP was dark...I said dark, I too am dark, so put on powder (saya tidak menyatakan bahawa beliau gelap. Saya tidak kata Yang Berhormat ini, Yang Berhormat ini gelap. Saya kata gelap, saya pun gelap, pakailah bedak
In any event, a lot of time wasted in Parliament on this issue - partly due to maybe the lack of a prompt and decisive action by the new Speaker - in any event, the following day, apparently the Speaker ruled on the issue... and asked for an 'apology'?
Time in parliament is precious - and really MPs should 'behave' - respect when another is speaking, and follow decorum...
An MP fighting for his/her right to speak is not wrong - for today, the Speaker decides who is given a chance to speak or not, and there are limitation as to the number of questions which will be entertained > all this means that some MPs with good points to make may not get a chance to speak...REFORMS are needed in Parliament for sure.
*** NOTE - an extract of the Hansard as follows, look at the entire Hansard for the day on this issue OR see the complete VDO clip of the Parliamentary proceedings for the actual words used.{Parliament Website should have the VDO of all parliamentary proceedings - so the public could easily look and see what really happened. It is also good to listen, for those who cannot read)
In any event, it was only the day after, that the speaker asked Azerez to apologize accodring to the media report.1520Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]:Saya mohon penjelasan. Minta penjelasan.Tuan Yang di-Pertua:Ya. Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]: Saya ingin tahu, ini sekadar penjelasan. Tadi saya dengar senarai nama yang dibaca tadi. Tidak ada Ahli Parlimen wanita dalam jawatankuasa tersebut. Di bawah Pakatan Harapan, Yang Berhormat Pandan.Datuk Seri
Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling]:Yang Berhormat Pandan, wanita.
Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]: Yang Berhormat Pandan menganggotai jawatankuasa tersebut akan tetapi kali ini tak ada seorang pun wanita dalam jawatankuasa tersebut.
Beberapa Ahli:[Berucap tanpa menggunakan pembesar suara]
Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]: Boleh Yang Berhormat Menteri jelaskan kenapa atau tidak cukup wanita yang berkaliber?
Tuan Yang di-Pertua:Saya rasa...
Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]: Dalam Perikatan Nasional ini?
Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling]:Gelap tidak nampak.
Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Saya rasa perkara tersebut boleh dibangkitkan semasa perbahasan ya.
DR. 13.7.2020113Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]: Akan tetapi mohon, kenapa Yang Berhormat Menteri tidak boleh jawab sekarang? Tuan Yang di-Pertua:Semasa perbahasanlah.
Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]: Bolehlah jawab sekarang, sudah umumkan sekarang.Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Nanti, sebabsekarang belum dibahas ya.
Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]: Akan tetapi sudah diumumkan. Kalau dia ada sebab biarkan dia sahaja...
Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Biarlah saya panggil bahas dahulu. Boleh tidak? Tolong...
Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]: [Tidak jelas]
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji [Jelutong]:Tuan Yang di-Pertua,
Tuan Yang di-Pertua...
Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat...
Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto [Batu Kawan]: Bagus sangatlah.
Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat...
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji [Jelutong]:Tuan Yang di-Pertua...
Tuan Yang di-Pertua:Masalah sekarang ini ialah usul Yang Berhormat Menteri di Jabatan Perdana Menteri ini terbuka untuk dibahas maka saya jemput. Saya mulakan perbahasan, saya jemput di sebelah sini dahulu. [Dewan riuh]Dibuka untuk perbahasan.
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji [Jelutong]:Sebelum Tuan Yang di-Pertua, atas peraturan. Saya minta Yang Berhormat Baling tarik balik kenyataan“gelap tidak nampak”tadi. [Dewan riuh] [Dewan ketawa]
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji [Jelutong]:Yang di...
Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling]:Saya pun gelap, tidak nampak.
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji [Jelutong]:Yang ini...
Tuan M. Kulasegaran [Ipoh Barat]:Racist.
Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling]: Apadifferentnya? [Dewan riuh]
Tuan M. Kulasegaran[Ipoh Barat]:Racist.
Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling]:Yang Berhormat pun gelap. Gelap tak ada jadi isu... [Pembesar suara dimatikan] [Dewan riuh]
Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Saya rasa mari kita bahaskan...
Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling]:Tidak, saya paling gelap, takkan gelap hendak jadi isu?DR. 13.7.2020114
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji [Jelutong]:Tuan Yang di-Pertua...Beberapa Ahli:[Berucap tanpa menggunakan pembesar suara] [Pembesar suara dimatikan]
Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Mari kita bahaskan...
Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling]:[Tidak jelas]...Saya paling gelap. Jadi apa masalah gelap sekarang ini?
Puan Kasthuriraani a/p Patto[Batu Kawan]: Tuan Yang di-Pertua... [Tidak jelas] the Dewan.
Tuan Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad [Setiawangsa]:Tuan Yang di-Pertua, saya minta tarik, minta ditarik sahaja. Itu sahaja itu sahaja Tuan Yang di-Pertua.
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji [Jelutong]:[Tidak jelas]...It is unparliamentary language...
Tuan Yang di-Pertua: Mari kita bahaskan...
Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling]: Macam mana saya hendak tarik, saya gelap. Mana boleh saya tarik saya kata saya gelap.
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji [Jelutong]:Saya minta YangBerhormat Baling tarik balik kenyataan itu. [Pembesar suara dimatikan] [Dewan riuh]
Tuan Yang di-Pertua:Tolong duduk.
Tuan Nik Nazmi bin Nik Ahmad [Setiawangsa]:Tuan Yang di-Pertua, saya setuju. Saya... [Dewan riuh]
Tuan Sanisvara Nethaji Rayer a/l Rajaji [Jelutong]:NoTuan Yang di-Pertua, beliau tidak nafikan.
Datuk Seri Panglima Abdul Azeez bin Abdul Rahim [Baling]: Tuan Yang di-Pertua, saya tidak menyatakan bahawa beliau gelap. Saya tidak kata Yang Berhormat ini, Yang Berhormat ini gelap. Saya kata gelap, saya pun gelap, pakailah bedak
The conduct and language of our Parliamentarians are 'embarassing' at times. We expect proper arguements and debates. MPs should not 'disrupt' when another MP is speaking especially with remarks like 'dark cannot see'.
JAG condemns racist remarks against Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto
PETALING JAYA: The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) condemned the remark made by Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim against Kasthuri Patto (pic) about her skin colour, and urged for further disciplinary action against him.
“Members of Parliament interrupt each other regularly and this is always acceptable if done within civilised and regulatory bounds.
“Abdul Azeez was and is at all times free to disagree with Kasthuri’s views.
“However, Abdul Azeez made what could be described as deplorable personal attacks against Kasthuri, suggesting that she cannot be seen because of her skin colour, and that she should apply powder in order to be visible, ” JAG said in a statement on Tuesday (July 14).
The Batu Kawan MP had questioned in Monday’s Dewan Rakyat sitting why there were no women included in the Select Committee.
Abdul Azeez, who is Baling MP, had then said ‘Tak nampaklah, gelap (It is dark, I cannot see)’, and
‘I am also dark. So wear powder. What is the problem?’ after an uproar by Opposition MPs.
During Tuesday’s sitting, Abdul Azeez apologised and retracted his remarks, after being ordered by Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun to do so.
JAG said lawmakers were to discuss issues brought up by other MPs and to protect the interests of the rakyat in such debates.
“When a male MP makes personal attacks against a woman MP, explicitly or implicitly, and gets away with it in Parliament, it sends a very loud message that Parliament accepts the bad behaviour of male MPs with impunity.
“This is not the first time that JAG has observed personal attacks against women MPs made by male MPs that are rooted in much larger issues such as sexism, misogyny, patriarchy, gender inequality, as well as ageism.
“A mere retraction of such statements does not address how such remarks continue to shape a negative perception and attitude towards female MPs, ” it said.
It called for further disciplinary action to be pursued against Abdul Azeez as his remarks were not only personally offensive towards Kasthuri, but towards all Malaysians.
“Malaysians are constantly told to tread delicately around the issue of racism. We witnessed firsthand its unfortunate offshoot, colourism, rearing its ugly head.
“The remarks are a slap in the face for all Malaysians who believe in equality of persons regardless of race, colour, age or gender.
“Parliament must not allow any semblance of racism, colourism and sexism in its proceedings. To treat these with impunity is to betray our vote, ” it said.
The statement was endorsed by 13 JAG member organisations. - Star, 14/7/2020
New Speaker Azhar makes Azeez apologise for ‘gelap’ remark
Rajvinder Singh /
14 Jul 2020 / 15:24 H.
KUALA LUMPUR: Newly-appointed Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun has ordered Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim to apologise to Batu Kawan MP Kasthuriraani Patto for the offensive remarks he directed at her during Monday’s sitting.
He said he came to the decision after looking at the Dewan Rakyat Hansard and found that the word “gelap” (dark) used by Abdul Azeez was offensive.
He added that the recommendation that she “pakai bedak” (use facial powder) were unparliamentary and offensive.
“I want YB Baling to apologise and retract that statement,“he said in a ruling yesterday.
After the Speaker’s orders, Abdul Azeez said he will comply but wished to explain himself.
He explained that he had no intention to call anyone “gelap” (dark) and neither did he have any intention of using a racist slur on anyone.
“I sat in that same spot for two years, that area is very dark, it usually doesn’t receive any attention from the Speaker.
“When I said dark, I meant the area is dark, it’s not very visible. I think it’s important for netizens to know that I wasn’t calling any person dark because Allah has made me dark too. So, there’s no reason for me to call anyone dark.
“However, I retract my statement and I apologise,” said Abdul Azeez.
Boos could be heard in the background as he made his apology.
The war of words and sexist remarks came up after Kasthuriraani questioned why there were no women named in the Parliament Select Committee.
There was an uproar as Abdul Azeez made the comments to Kasthuriraani with Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh interjecting asking Abdul Azeez to apologise.
Azhar then advised lawmakers to be careful with their words and to avoid sexist, racist, offensive and unparliamentary terms.
Kasthuriraani stood up and thanked Azhar for his decision but pressed him for a harsher penalty against Abdul Azeez.
She accused the backbencher of being a repeated offender when it comes to sexist and racist statements.
Kasthuriraani during a press conference later pointed out that this is not the first time the Baling MP had made such remarks.
She said in 2014 and 2015 he had used the word “pondan” in the Dewan but was let off lightly.
“It has been eight years since the Parliamentary Standing Orders had been amended but vulgar, racist and sexist remarks continue to roll off the tongues of some unrepentant MPs,“ she said.
She hoped such remarks would be the last of this kind of unparliamentary language in the Dewan.
Housing and Local Government Minster Zuraida Kamaruddin, representing Perikatan Nasional females MPs, said she hoped this would be the last time such sexist remarks were made in the Dewan.
She said action should be taken against those who make such remarks. - The Sun Daily, 14/7/2020
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