He cited comments by Teo Nie Ching (PH-Kulai), who accused him, Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) and Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) yesterday of frequently making sexist remarks in the lower house.
Tajuddin claimed the DAP MP was trying to tarnish his image.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) interjected, saying Tajuddin was going off on a tangent from the ongoing debate on the sexual harassment bill.
In response, the Umno man told Rayer to “shut up”, sparking a commotion in the Dewan Rakyat.
Tajuddin angered opposition MPs when he said DAP women MPs were “biadap” (rude) and “tidak senonoh” (indecent).
He continued: “(They) tarnished the name of the three wakil rakyat (elected representatives). They (opposition MPs) don’t know about us, and how we take care of women’s rights and their dignity.”
Rayer then called on the Umno man to retract his remarks.
Steven Sim (PH-Bukit Mertajam) chimed in, saying it was pointless to debate the sexual harassment bill if Deputy Speaker Rashid Hasnon did not act on Tajuddin’s remarks.
“The Parliament Hansard will take note that an MP has made insensitive remarks,” he said.
Rayer interjected and said: “Are you (Rashid) not brave enough to call him out for saying that DAP women are indecent? We are pleading to you, please take action (against Tajuddin).”
He was joined by Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) and Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan), who asked Tajuddin to retract his remarks and apologise.
Improper remarks
The PH MPs then urged Rashid to eject Tajuddin.
As the ruckus continued, Kasthuri claimed that Tajuddin made a lewd remark after turning off his microphone.
“He just cursed while turning off the microphone under your (Rashid) watch. Yet, you let Pasir Salak get away after making such remarks.
“You have the responsibility. If one of us (opposition MPs) made such a statement, you would have asked us to leave,” she lamented.
Kasthuri said: “Parliamentary Standing Order 36(4) states that an MP must not use improper remarks.
“You (deputy speaker) gave him a warning, and yet he did not heed it. You did not act on it. There is no point in having Standing Order 36(4) if it is not going to be used.
“This is not about (parliamentary) immunity, this is about decorum and language.”
Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut) echoed both Sim and Kasthuri’s arguments, saying it was pointless to debate the bill if the Deputy Speaker refused to reprimand Tajuddin.
“When Kota Belud (Isnaraissah Munirah Majilis) filed a motion on the Sulu arbitration issue, you ejected her. But no similar action is taken when it comes to male Umno MPs,” she said.
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