While I was driving to Kuala Kangsar, a call came in. I had to switch on the speaker of my phone. The first thing the caller said was, ” Is it MP Fong? I do not know how I should call you.” I said, ” Just call me Fong.” The caller then said, ” I am sorry …”
Is a she. A lady who was so outrage over the sexist remarks made by the two BN MPs. She said that the two should apologise to me.
Her main concern is the kind of message which will be sent to school children who are studying in co-ed school. The message that it is alright to say such sexist remarks ie joke about the natural cycle of woman given by God. How would the girls feel if the boys starting to joke about the girls “bocor” in school? She added, would the female teacher reprimand the boy if he makes such a remark against her?
She also told me that she called Shahrizat and Nazri’s office to express similar worries to both of them. She reminded me to take this matter to Parliament when the House resumes its sitting.
Her call was not the first I received which tendered apology to me. Earlier, a man also called.
I am still feeling touched by their gestures. Why did they apologize to me?
They could feel how I felt and feeling till now. Both the callers feel insulted. I believe, they are worried about the wrong message sent by the government in the manner this issue was handled.
And now, we have Samy Vellu comparing the dilapidated state of the 43-year-old Parliament to the looks of a woman of 50 years. He was reported to have said, “A woman may be pretty but after 50 years she would not be pretty”. This is a sexist remarks.
What say you Shahrizat? This is from a member of the Cabinet.
Members of Parliament are supposed to be exemplary public figures and their code of conduct and ethics are always under the spotlight of younger generation. Young ones look up to them for leadership values. If this sort of behavior by MPs are tolerated, I am wondering what kind of future leaders we are trying to raise as a nation. We might as well close down all schools!
Comment by KS Lee — May 23, 2007 @ 4:12 am
well, the voters put’em up there. I suppose we have to apologise to you, YB, er Poh Kuan,er Fong.
but I have to say that society as a whole is getting more complicated and people are getting more self-centred as compared to the previous generation.
Comment by Lee Wee Tak — May 23, 2007 @ 7:59 am
perhaps running out of intelligent arguments and defending the undefensible, they to resort to slap stick arguments to get out from a tight spot; or perhaps they are trying to communicate with low intelligent voters who put’em up in the first place (note: I did not vote for’em).
Read this morning’s paper as the PM told Sami to stop arguing and citing it as embarrassing. Well, even they themselves cannot tolerate such display of incompetence.
It sort of spoil the good image of the government after the announcement of not-election-related-increment that was suppose to “prevent brain drain from Malaysia”.
I never knew the best of our brains in government offices are being snapped up by developed nations by the dozens/hundreds/thousands. No wonder the immigration counters at Putrajaya is always empty!
Comment by Lee Wee Tak — May 23, 2007 @ 8:10 am
samy needs to appologize as well. using women as his analogy shows a shameful sexist mindset. just make sure jester samy doesnt blame it on another person. he should be reprimanded as well along with the other 2 fools.
Comment by democratic junkie — May 24, 2007 @ 2:49 am
Hey Po Kuan,
It’s me, Pooi Ling. So excited to see your blog.
Very proud of u, lady. Take care of my mom’s hometown, yea?
Cheers!
Comment by Jenn — May 24, 2007 @ 12:38 pm
YB Fong, I doubt that two pudding head will apologize to you, the same for another dullard MR.SV.
Now, people can see BN monkeys have the ego as big as a football field but the brain is as small as a bird.That’s why our PM also admitted, we have First class infrastructure but Third World mentality.
Nothing to say, if people still vote those dolt in the coming general election.
Comment by red_ferret — May 25, 2007 @ 12:14 am
Fong,
Sexist remarks are not acceptable in a modern human society, may it be in Poland, Malaysia or Timbuktu. I agree that sexism is insulting and degrading, and deserves the sternest of action aimed to eradicate this mindset.
However, shouldn’t the DAP be more focused on other things by now? Once there’s someone who said DAP opposes for the sake of opposition. Show us that you can focus on the bigger picture.
Fong,
I understand and feel for all the hardship which every member of the DAP had to go through to fight for equality and justice, and all of you have my utmost respect.
However, the ultimate aim of any political party is to form the goverment. Do you guys even have a proper plan to go about doing this? I know that the objective is not likely to be achievable, but it is still an objective nevertheless.
Give it a shot. YB Ipoh Timur have been saying a tad a bit too much lately about sexism, parlimen bocor, close one eye etc. Whatever happened to the big picture?
Anyway, I just read through your biography on Wiki and I just want you to know that I am truly impressed!
Keep up the good work.
Comment by Leon — May 25, 2007 @ 1:37 am
What we need is a paradigmn shift in our attitude. All schoolchildren should be taught about the issue of sexism. Our education system has too much compromise- until it is taken advantage by both teachers and students alike.
Nip it in the bud.
Comment by Biolovepulse — May 25, 2007 @ 5:04 pm
YB, I dedicated 6 postings on this matter- May 12,13,15,16,18,23. You, in your position need to press on and ensure that sexism cannot invade Parliament.
Comment by zorro — May 26, 2007 @ 4:05 pm
What did a Judge call Samy Vellu?
Hey, Thamby!”
Overhead in the Lake Club years ago.
The Jude is now a Sultan and our Thamby is now a thamby.
Comment by Emak Teruk — May 27, 2007 @ 12:32 am
Well Done for standing up against these 2 BN MPs.
It is crystal clear that these 2 MPs are mere MCP and have nothing else to say
Comment by Michael Sun — June 3, 2007 @ 11:26 pm