I AM appalled at the statements made by two PAS leaders, one a minister and a deputy minister when speaking to a female journalist on the decision to ban all gambling outlets in Kedah.

This not only shows Religious Affairs Minister Idris Ahmad’s weakness in answering the issue at hand, but he also made a remark that is downright sexist and insulting towards female journalists.

Coming from a PAS vice president, this somehow is not shocking to many but coming from a federal minister, it is horrendous and unforgivable.

Instead of answering the reporter’s question or even politely declining, Idris attacked her family and refused to answer her question.

Meanwhile, Deputy Human Resources Minister Awang Hashim was equally condescending when he ridiculed the reporter’s nationality because she had posed the question in English.

Is the standard for our cabinet members that low these days that they can no longer understand or answer in other languages anymore? Since when is asking a question using a universal language an act of disrespect?

Unfortunately, some politicians are just too thick to understand the duty of a journalist and they retort condescendingly just to dismiss the question altogether.

Journalists, especially female media practitioners, should not be threatened by chauvinistic politicians who resort to personal attacks to deflect from the issue.

There should be action taken against both these PAS politicians, like a suspension or docking of their wages. Is this the quality Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is keeping in his cabinet?

Shameful.

I urge both these PAS leaders to issue a public apology to the female journalist and pledge not to repeat these crude offences. There needs to be stern action taken against the duo to set a precedent for all.

The Communications and Multimedia Ministry should also look into this matter seriously and educate their colleagues on media decorum to prevent instances like this from being repeated in the future.

Since Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa is a proponent of the media fraternity, he should make it his legacy to realise the long-planned media council to ensure the rights of journalists are protected.

If Malaysia is to become a first-class nation, we cannot have top officials and leaders resorting to a third-class mentality when dealing with the public. – November 15, 2021.

* Maria Chin Abdullah is Petaling Jaya MP.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.