Malaysia: Gender Equality Group Presents MPs With Kits

May 1, 2008 – (The Star) The Joint Action Group for Gender Equality (JAG) presented folder kits to the 222 MPs, asking them to look into the urgent reforms which needed to be addressed relating to gender equality.

Themed “Kotakan Kata”, meaning “keep to your promises”, the folder contained a ruler, where JAG would be measuring the performances of the MPs, especially those who had made sexist remarks in the Dewan Rakyat previously.

Spokesman Maria Chin Abdullah, the senior programme manager from Sisters in Islam, told pressmen at Parliament lobby yesterday that they wanted to ensure that the MPs don’t make empty promises.

The orchid placed on the folder reflected their sincerity and willingness to work with the MPs to end discrimination against women, and to bring about gender equality.

Among the reforms the group wanted to see was to amend the Domestic Violence Act 1994, the Parliamentary Standing Order so that sexism is disallowed, the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce) Act 1976, to enact the Sexual Harassment Act and Freedom of Information Act.

Awam executive councillor Honey Tan said that when she approached Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, he asked her if the ruler was to ‘rap his knuckles’.

Raub MP Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen asked if the MPs too could monitor the performance of JAG, since JAG was monitoring them.

Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin did not say much and just accepted the folder, Tan said.

Bung Mokhtar had made a sexist remark in the Dewan Rakyat last year, offending many women.
Tan said she hoped the MPs would behave well and not make sexist remarks.

Asked by Women Aid Organisation president Meera Samanther if Bung Mokhtar could confirm that there would be no more gender insensitive remarks made by Barisan Nasional MPs, he said he could not give the confirmation, as there were many Barisan MPs.

From:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/5/1/parliament/21119248&sec=parliament