PKR Senator Mohd Imran Abd Hamid has apologised and retracted his suggestion for a law protecting men from being seduced into raping women.

He sought forgiveness from those offended over his remarks and said he did not expect it to be seen as such a huge mistake.

“I apologise to those who were offended by my debate where I proposed a sexual harassment law to protect men during the debate in the Dewan Negara yesterday.

“Although my intention was sincere, I did not expect it to be seen as such a big mistake that it had hurt the feelings of many women and also men who feel insulted by my words.

“I apologise a thousand times and retract my statement,” he said in a statement today.

Imran, a retired navy admiral, had been debating the Syarie Legal Profession (Federal Territories) Bill 2019 when he made the suggestion yesterday.

It was reported that no other senator reprimanded him for his remark, and Senate deputy president Abd Halim Abd Samad had even said Imran’s suggestion was “a good viewpoint”.

Imran was Lumut MP for one term from 2013 to 2018.

He was immediately criticised yesterday by Deputy Women, Family, and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh and PKR Wanita chief Haniza Talha.

He continued to received flak today, from various activists and lobby groups, as well as from Pakatan Harapan leaders of different levels.

Imran’s apology also follows PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s call earlier today for the senator to retract his proposal and declaring that the party rejected it “because it is illogical and an insult to women”.

Anwar said Imran’s proposal also insulted men by depicting them as having lack of self-control and morals. – August 1, 2019.