By Yasmin Ramlan
PUTRAJAYA, Nov 25 — Parti Keadilan Rakyat Women’s chief Fadhlina Sidek took a swipe at some Opposition MPs for demeaning women with sexist remarks during their Dewan Rakyat debating sessions.
Without naming specific individuals or political parties, she raised concerns about their quality of debate.
“Family development is a crucial issue, and it deserves attention,” Fadhlina said in her opening speech at the Keadilan National Congress today.
“However, some MPs who should utilise the honorable platform of the Dewan Rakyat to discuss policies, instead focusing on a narrative about the number of wives,’ I have three more quotas left, let us be polygamous.’
“What kind of mentality is this? Did the rakyat choose their MPs to be narrow-minded and sexist in the Dewan Rakyat? We still have a lot of work to do,” she said to an audience of over 400 women’s wing delegates at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre.
On November 22, senior PAS leader Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man proposed the government offer moral support to men capable of practicing polygamy.
The Kubang Kerian MP suggested this as a potential solution for millions of unmarried women over 30.
During the minister’s concluding speech, Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin raised a concern, accusing Tuan Ibrahim of making a sexist remark against women who choose to be single.
Elaborating further, Fadhlina said MPs resort to such remarks as they lack substantive debating content to address issues related to the government’s administration. This includes issues on corruption and governance.
“The debate lacks quality as there are no issues regarding the government’s administration they can play.
“Hence, it is crucial for Keadilan women to remain steadfast in advocating for women’s rights, addressing issues, including domestic violence, child protection, citizenship for children of Malaysian mothers, combating sexual harassment, and promoting women’s empowerment in the nation-building process,” she said.
