‘Gelap’ refers to seating area, says Azeez after apology

Chan Kok Leong Kamles Kumar Chan Kok Leong, Kamles Kumar Updated 3 years ago · Published on 14 Jul 2020 11:00AM · 5 Comments

Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim wants social media users to know he is not racist. – The Malaysian Insight file pic, July 14, 2020.

BALING lawmaker Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim has apologised for his “gelap” remark, claiming that it referred to the seating area and not directed at anyone.

“I had no intentions of calling anyone ‘gelap’ as I am dark, too,” he said today at the start of sitting.

“For two years, I had also sat there (motions to where Kasthuri Patto is seated) and that area is dark and the speaker normally can’t see us.

“My comment yesterday was in reference to the area that is dark and I want netizens to know this. I nevertheless apologise for the comment,” said Azeez, who was ordered to apologise and retract the comment by newly minted speaker Azhar Azizan Harun.

The Barisan Nasional lawmaker apologised for the “gelap” comment he made yesterday.

Kasthuri (Batu Kawan-PH), who was the target of the comments, said the comments were also “an insult to women”.

“YB Baling not only said I was dark, he also asked me to wear powder,” she said. 

She questioned the silence of the women MPs on the government bench, saying their failure to respond to Azeez’s sexist tone could be interpreted as condonation.

Kasthuri earlier asked about the absence of women in the select committee mooted by Law  Minister Takiyuddin Hassan. 

Interceding in the heated exchange, R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH) urged Azeez to retract his words as they were racist.  

Earlier, in making the ruling, Azhar said: “I have checked Hansard and decided that the word (gelap) was rather offensive and have instructed Baling to retract it and apologise.”

“I hope that other MPs will not repeat this,” said the former Election Commission chairman.

The Dewan Rakyat session yesterday was suspended at 3.32pm after Azhar lost control of the house as lawmakers argued over Azeez’s “gelap” and “guna bedak” (“use talcum powder”) remarks.

After the apology, Kasthuri urged Azhar to take sterner action against future infringements.

“Despite his reasons, it shouldn’t have been said. The reason about the lighting aside, I believe there were other ulterior reasons, as he also asked me to use more powder.”

Not wanting to prolong the issue, Azhar urged the MPs to move on and continue with the question-and-answer session.

“Baling has apologised and let’s move on. I will take sterner action in future.” – July 14, 2020.

Sign up or sign in here to comment.

Comments

  • What a low life! If the area was dark, then put more lighting. Why ask her to put on more white talcum powder?? It does reflect on his parental upbringing!

    Posted 3 years ago by Tong King Kong · Reply

  • He looks more Indian than Melayu! Or, could be an Indian pretending to be Melayu in order to receive the benefits and special privileges of Melayu and Bumiputera in the Federal Constitution???

    Posted 3 years ago by Tong King Kong · Reply

  • Skin of a South Indian origin who came to Malaysia under kontrak system. His father could have been one????

    Posted 3 years ago by Swaminaidu Venkatasamy · Reply

  • Thamby, sudahlah.... don't ever pusibg pusing with your brainless talk! Save us the agony of having to see your rerard face.

    Posted 3 years ago by Chee yee ng · Reply

  • Ayioh....

    Posted 3 years ago by Thomas Samuel · Reply