KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 9 — Several female lawmakers accused a Gerakan leader of chauvinism today after he reportedly made sexist comments on women candidates, with one comparing him to US presidential hopeful Donald Trump.
PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar labelled Gerakan legal and human rights bureau chief Baljit Singh as an “abhorrent chauvinist” for his alleged statement urging his party to field young, sexy women as election candidates.
“In the light of Trump’s abusive misogyny, I find it completely appalling that we have similar views, i.e. objectifying women, this time emanating from a Gerakan leader.
“How dare they reduce women to mere objects — whose worth is their mere beauty for the interests of men. He should be severely reprimanded and asked to resign in a strong show of intolerance against misogyny and chauvinism,” the Lembah Pantai MP told Malay Mail Online when contacted today.
Baljit’s reported comments come amid a controversy surrounding vulgar videotaped remarks of Republican candidate Trump, who spoke in 2005 of hitting on a married woman and grabbing women’s crotches.
“Why not field a woman who is beautiful, sweet, energetic, sexy, and is willing to give it her all,” Baljit was quoted saying at Gerakan’s annual general assembly.
He reportedly went on to use DAP’s Teluk Intan candidate Dyana Sofya Mohd Daud as an example in elucidating his point that a winnable candidate is a young, “multiracial” woman.
Nurul Izzah, who is PKR vice president, stood by the fielding of Dyana Sofya, describing the 28-year-old woman as “an accomplished lawyer that does not deserve to be degraded with such callous and sexist remark”.
DAP’s Seputeh MP Teresa Kok meanwhile chided Baljit’s remark as an insult to women and their intelligence, who are viewed as nothing more than pretty objects instead of viable candidates.
“Baljit’s statement is an insult to the wisdom of women as well as the voters at large.
“His statement also implies that voters are a bunch of fools who can be cheated by the women candidates’ outlook and they don’t take the substance of the women candidates and the future of the country or issues related to [the] greater picture into consideration,” she told Malay Mail Online when contacted today.
The senior lawmaker suggested that Baljit be reprimanded by Gerakan Wanita for making such a statement against women.
“I urge Gerakan Wanita chief to give Baljit Singh a gender sensitisation session, so that he can speak on women’s political participation from the right perspective,” Kok added.
Calling Baljit “shameful” and “pathetic” for his remarks, Selangor State Speaker Hannah Yeoh defended the DAP’s selection of Dyana Sofya as a capable candidate.
“DAP fielded Dyana Sofya in Teluk Intan for her beautiful mind. You have to possess an equally beautiful mind to see that. Unfortunately this Gerakan leader has no ability to see beyond her physical appearance.
“I feel sad for him. I feel sad for Gerakan for his statement that he can’t see her as anything more than a Malay girl,” the Subang Jaya assemblyman said when contacted today.
Batu Kawan MP Kasthuri Patto meanwhile pointed out it was ironic for Baljit to make such a statement when he holds a portfolio that deals with human rights.
The DAP lawmaker added that if Gerakan is unable to school Baljit in proper ethics, the DAP women’s wing and the Penang Women Development Corporation (PWDC) would be willing to lend a hand.
“It’s a shame that Gerakan appoints such Neanderthal men as their mouthpiece on law and human rights. Gerakan women better start gender equality training to sensitise the likes of Baljit before demanding for women’s rights outside the enclaves of their party.
“If all else fails, then PWDC and Wanita DAP can give Baljit and his party a course on what respect, gender equality and democracy means,” Kasturi told Malay Mail Online.