It all began when Mohd Saleh Man (PAS-Permatang Pasir) was debating the motion thanking the governor for opening the assembly’s current session when a DAP backbencher stood to ask Saleh on the objectification of women.
RSN Rayer (DAP-Seri Delima) said there were certain BN politicians who made controversial statements about women which appeared to cast them as mere “sex objects”.
Rayer then glanced at the opposition bench and remarked that there was no objection from the members to his statement.
This provoked Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah (BN-Teluk Bahang) to demand that Rayer “tarik balik” (retract) his claim.
A shouting match between Rayer and Shah Headan then ensued while Speaker Law Choo Kiang tried to restore order.
Failing to quell the uproar, Law then ordered the two assemblymen to leave the house at once.
Although the two bickering men tried to explain themselves, the speaker sternly told them to “get out”, and this time the two men obeyed. They will miss the rest of today’s debate.
Law advised assembly members to abide by the standing orders of the house to observe decorum or risk being evicted.
Rayer told reporters he merely wanted to highlight recent sexist remarks by BN politicians, such as a minister’s advice to women “to dress shabbily to avoid sexual harassment” and controversial remarks on child marriages.
An upset Shah Headan said it was unfair for Rayer to raise these matters in the assembly as the BN politicians were not in the house to defend themselves.
Shah Headan also accused the speaker of being partisan as he directed his wrath at the BN representative when the spat was triggered by Rayer.
“By right, Rayer should be reprimanded for his remarks as he made a blanket statement against all BN politicians, and I am one. I only stood up to ask him to retract the statement.
“Now, what part of ‘tarik balik’ was considered rude and warranted me to be kicked out from the dewan?
“I have a mother, wife and a daughter and any remarks saying BN politicians are sexist is downright unacceptable, because I am not like that,” he said.