Ministry wants to close Tajuddin ‘sexist’ issue

Dec 3, 2008 By LEE YUK PENG

KUALA LUMPUR: The Women, Family and Community Development Ministry wants to close the issue of sexual connotations made by Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN–Pasir Salak) as the Chair has already made a ruling on it.

Its Deputy Minister Noriah Kasnon said on Wednesday she regretted that lewd remarks were made by men in the House.

“I will inform the minister (Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen), who is away for three weeks,’’ she said when winding up on behalf of the ministry.

Several MPs, including men, had voiced their dissatisfaction while debating on the ministry.

Noriah was referring to an exchange of words between Tajuddin and Dr Mujahid Yusof Rawa (PAS–Parit Buntar) during a motion filed by Teo Nie Ching (DAP–Serdang) to cut RM10 from the salary of the Education Minister on Nov 26.

While asking for a chance to interject, Tajuddin asked: “Tak masuk lagi? (Not in yet?)”

Deputy Speaker Datuk Ronald Kiandee, who was presiding then, told Tajuddin: “Dia tak bagi (He does not want to give way).”

Tajuddin then said: “Dia tak masuk lagi? Dah lama tak masuk-masuk. Main tepi saja. (Still not in after so long? Just playing by the side.)

Mujahid then told Tajuddin to be patient.

Tajuddin then asked: “Bila nak keluar lagi air dia? (When are you going to get wet?)

Fong Po Kuan had asked the Chair for a ruling on Nov 27and the Chair replied that he needed to refer to the Hansard.

A few days later, Tajuddin, while debating on the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry, said he hated himself for uttering those words.

The following day, the Chair ruled that since he had apologised, it would no longer pursue the matter.

Earlier, Tajuddin had also uttered the word “b*****d” (on Nov 5) and “k*****” (on Nov 26) against M. Kulasegaran (DAP–Ipoh Barat) and “biul” (stupid) against Azmin Ali (PKR–Gombak) on Nov 26.