PETALING JAYA: Opposition MP Teresa Kok has demanded an apology from Kedah Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang for making a “sexist” remark on twitter.
Earlier today, Tan had wrote on his twitter: “Would u choose @jezlai or @hannahyeoh which will be on maternity leave soon (as the ADUN for Subang Jaya in the upcoming elections)?”
Jez Lai is the MCA’s Beliawanis Wanita national treasurer while Hannah Yeoh the Subang Jaya state assemblywoman.
Calling Tan “pigheaded” for continuing to defend his statement, Kok said:”I am appalled by Tan’s snide and sexist remark that Yeoh, who is currently pregnant, will be unfit to serve as the state assemblywoman.”“Tan should apologise to Hannah and all women for his remark,” said Kok, the Seputeh MP and Selangor state executive councillor, in a statement today.
Kok said Yeoh and her team have been working very hard for the people of Subang Jaya ever since she was elected in March 2008.
“Their dedication is well noted and much appreciated by the Subang Jaya community. Therefore, I have every confidence that Hannah will make good what she has said.”
Kok commended Yeoh for her response to Tan. Yeoh had wrote: “I assure u (Tan Keng Liang) I can work harder than some of ur BN MPs even when I’m on maternity leave.”
Moral duty
Kok said that Tan’s remark was an insult to women and mothers everywhere.“Despite having been told off by dozens of Malaysians on Twitter, Tan remains pigheaded and continues to defend his statement, which is telling of how intensely chauvinistic he is towards women,” said Kok.
She pointed out that women made up 49% of the population, saying that Tan has the moral duty to serve male and female constituents equally, should he aspire to be an elected representative.
Urging Tan to educate himself for his ignorance on gender equality, Kok said: “I would gladly sponsor his gender equality training by any one of the women’s NGOs in Malaysia.”
Meanwhile, Tan in a later posting said that his statement has been twisted. He also called Lai a capable leader.
“My simple statement has been twisted. Perhaps, PR under heavy pressure 2 deliver propoganda even if untrue.”
Tan also clarified that he merely stated that Yeoh was to go on maternity and never said that Yeoh was unfit to be an assemblyperson.
