DEPUTY Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law) Hanipa Maidin was forced to apologise after making a sexist remark towards another MP in Parliament today.

Midway through his winding-up session during the debate on the Anti-Fake News (Abolition) Act, Hanipa made the remark towards Azalina Othman Said (BN-Pengerang).

Azalina had begun her request to Hanipa for clarifications on the bill by saying she had to put on her glasses because “the minister at times looks small and at other times he looks big”.

Hanipa’s reply when he got up: “Like what she said, I sometimes look fat and sometimes look thin.

“Just like Pengerang-lah, sometimes she looks like a woman and sometimes she looks like a man.”

The House immediately erupted with shouts and proceedings were halted for more than 20 minutes as opposition MPs called for Hanipa to apologise.

Despite his ensuing apology, opposition MPs were still unhappy over the incident and called him “recalcitrant”.

Mahadzir Khalid (BN-Padang Terap) said that Hanipa’s behaviour was uncalled for and provocative.

“He’s not doing his duty (answering the MPs queries) but using this opportunity to belittle Umno and PAS MPs,” said the former education minister.

As a result of the incident, Hanipa could not finish answering the queries and the Deputy Speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon proceeded to call for a vote on the repeal of the Anti-Fake News (Abolition) bill. – October 9, 2019.