Syerleena Abdul Rashid said Sanusi’s remarks were a “harmful perpetuation of gender stereotypes” and that political leaders should refrain from making such remarks.

She said by implying that rugby is a “man’s game” and netball is somehow lesser, the Jeniri assemblyman has undermined the years of effort athletes have put into their sports.

“It’s not just disappointing, it’s downright infuriating to hear Sanusi belittle netball players with such remarks.

“This isn’t something to joke about. It’s a harmful perpetuation of gender stereotypes that have no place in our society, let alone from a person in a position of leadership,” the Bukit Bendera MP told FMT.

Syerleena was commenting on a video of Sanusi officiating a rugby match in Kedah, during which he said that no rugby players should be afraid and if they were, they could not play rugby.

“Play netball instead. Go home and wear kain batik.”

Syerleena said Sanusi’s remarks could impact how Malaysian society views sports and gender roles even if it was said in jest.

Sanusi’s latest remarks are not the first time he has made sexist statements.

Last year, in the run up to the 15th general election, the Perikatan Nasional election director came under fire after suggesting that women could not serve a rural constituency.

Sanusi had said this when claiming that Barisan Nasional should have chosen a male candidate as a woman would find it tough to serve the Sik electorate because “the area is vast and rural with many poor residents and it might be beyond the capabilities of a woman (to serve)”.