KUALA LUMPUR: Seputeh member of parliament (MP) Teresa Kok today said she was left perplexed and stunned over a sexist comment made by Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) about her in Dewan Rakyat, last week.
Kok, during a press conference in parliament today, said the remarks should not have been made in the first place, adding that she had raised a valid question over the slow tourism activity in Langkawi.
She added that she also raised the question as she had many times heard several issues raised by Mohd Suhaimi on the government's lack of action in promoting tourism in the constituency.
"I was left in shocked and was puzzled by the remarks made by the MP when I asked whether we could wear shorts in Langkawi.
"I have been to Langkawi and wondered why the interesting place had few tourists. Could it be due to a dress code issue which left the tourists feeling it does not fit with their customs?
"The Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister who is also the Bintulu MP (Datuk Sri Tiong King Sing) had also raised the matter when he previously mentioned that there were tourists who complained of being harassed and questioned by the enforcement officer.
"Hence, I felt that I had asked a valid and legitimate question to Langkawi," she said.
Present during the press conference were Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman, Ipoh Timor MP Howard Lee, Bangi MP Shahredzan Johan, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid and Hulu Langat MP Mohd Sany Hamzan.
Earlier, Young Syefura had asked Deputy Speaker Alice Lau over the motion she submitted to discuss the action that would be taken on Mohd Suhaimi.
Young Syefura said she had also referred Mohd Suhaimi to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee for the latter's 'lewd' remarks which contained sexual harassment elements against Kok.
Following this, Lau said the motion is currently being reviewed by Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul.
Last week, Kok had asked Mohd Suhaimi about the dress code and whether shorts were allowed in Langkawi during his debate session.
However, rather than providing a straightforward response, Mohd Suhaimi's response was laced with sarcasm, accompanied by a gender-biased comment.
He also insinuated that it would not make a difference if Kok chose to not wear anything at all.
The sexist comment made by Mohd Suhaimi elicited boisterous laughter from the male MPs who were present at the time.
