He said he only wanted to encourage and inspire women to stand up and develop themselves.

He said his words in the video, which several women MPs said had degraded women, should be viewed from a positive perspective.

“The programme encourages women to rise up in the field of entrepreneurship. Therefore, the issue of me speaking rudely towards women, or belittling them, should not come up,” he said, according to a report in Harian Metro.

In the 40-second video, Rosyam is heard saying that women are tardy, when promoting an event for the women, family and community development ministry.

“Waking up late, everything is late. Women are always tardy. Wake up from your sleep!

“Tomorrow at WTCKL, my programme is with Datuk Seri Rina (Harun) and her ministry (shows the ministry’s name), read it yourselves.

“Tomorrow, if anyone wants to join, just come at 9am and meet me. I will ‘belasah’ (beat you up) in order for us to rise up,” Rosyam said in the video.

Rosyam explained that “belasah” in this context meant to “brainwash” and encourage the participants to rise in the field of entrepreneurship.

“‘Belasah’ means to brainwash. This programme is aimed at encouraging women so that they will rise in the field of entrepreneurship.

“So, there should be no issue about me belittling women. Those who have joined my programme will understand what I said and there is no problem with the words used,” he said.

He added that “waking up late” was a phrase that he used to urge women entrepreneurs to go after opportunities.

“It is a metaphor, and I used it to refer to women entrepreneurs, it does not relate to women waking up late,” he said.