Tajuddin had mentioned the word “p*****k”, a swear word in the Malay language which references women’s genitalia.
Opposition lawmakers were up in arms today after Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) attempted to deny that he was sexist, which triggered further accusations that he was exactly that.
In defending his stand on respecting all women, Tajuddin allegedly uttered profanity in Dewan Rakyat today.
He was subsequently issued a warning by deputy speaker Datuk Rashid Hasnon and he left the House shortly after.
Tajuddin had earlier stood up in the House, citing the parliamentary Standing Order 36(6) which had to do with uttering rude remarks.
The former deputy minister had initially asked opposition MPs to state a reason why they accused him of disrespecting women in the previous days.
“You don’t know how we treat women, yet you said I disrespect women. Ask Wanita Umno (if they are being mistreated).
“The problem is actually with some women DAP members. ‘Perangai tak senonoh (uncouth), mulut cabul (lewd),” Tajuddin said.
This caused opposition MPs to stand up, demanding Tajuddin to apologise and retract his statement.
“Well, it’s true anyway. Not all of you, of course, but some are. ‘Batu api, kaki hasut’ (provocateurs). Always challenging other people,” Tajuddin added.
During the exchange of words between Tajuddin and opposition MPs, their microphones were muted by Rashid.
Opposition MPs, including Hannah Yeoh (Pakatan Harapan-Segambut), revealed in the House that Tajuddin had mentioned the word “p*****k” when the microphone was switched off.
The word is a swear word in the Malay language which references women’s genitalia.
After being given the first warning by Rashid, Tajuddin left the House.
Yeoh then asked Rashid why Tajuddin could get away with making such degrading remark in the Dewan Rakyat.
Rashid then reminded the MPs that he had issued a warning to Tajuddin.
“But the warning didn’t work. This has happened many times and if you don’t do anything about it, this is going to keep happening,” Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) said.
In a tweet later, Kasthuri alleged that Tajuddin had uttered a vulgar slang twice while his microphone was turned off, which several MPs heard.
This was not Tajuddin’s first time triggering backlash over sexist remarks in the Lower House.
In 2016, he infamously remarked that Teresa Kok (Harapan-Seputeh) was the only woman with a Kok, a play on the phonetically similar slang word referring to male genitalia.
Tajuddin has never apologised for that incident, insisting that he was just referring to her name.
Instead, he had said that while Kok was upset with him, all women in Pasir Salak, young and old, loved him.
In a statement later, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Advocacy Group condemned Tajuddin’s behaviour and called for disciplinary action against him.
“We call on the speaker and deputy speaker of the House to take strict disciplinary measures and make the necessary ruling against Pasir Salak.
“Such shameful conduct has no place in Parliament, let alone while debating a bill which is intended to protect those facing sexual harassment,” it said.
In 2008, Tajuddin had called M Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat-PH) a “bastard”. In 2010, Kulasegaran said Tajuddin had threatened him in the Parliament lobby.
On Monday, Isnaraissah Munirah Majlis (Warisan-Kota Belud) was suspended from the Dewan Rakyat for two days after she insisted that the House debate the Sulu Sultana claims.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun was later accused by MPs for being unfair, as male MPs who were more provocative seemed to be let off easily.
Teo Nie Ching (Pakatan Harapan-Kulai) yesterday named Tajuddin as well as Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) and Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) as repeat offenders of sexist remarks.
Tajuddin retorted that the trio were unfairly targeted and that their critics did not know how much they do for women.
He also claimed that their (three aforementioned Umno men) election victories were because most women supported them.