VOTERS must reject PAS and Perikatan Nasional (PN) for continuously using race, religion and misogyny to try to win the coming general election, Lim Guan Eng said today.

Taking aim at Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor over his “women take three hours to get ready” remarks, the DAP chairman said PAS and PN have reached a new low with their extremist and misogynistic attitude towards women.

“Not only does Sanusi not respect women, he even insults and ridicules them as unfit for higher office or being elected as MP,” Lim said in a statement.

“Not just women, but men should reject such political dinosaurs like the PN, who divide the people and want to bring the country back to the primitive era,” he added.

Lim said PAS leaders, including its president Abdul Hadi Awang, persist on an extremist and racist track with such irrational and perverted statements. 

He also noted that Sik PAS Youth chief Mohd Shahiful Mhd Nasir has also been condemned for warning that those voters who choose Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan will end up in hell. 

This is clearly misusing religion irresponsibly for political advantage, said the former finance minister.

He also said PAS’ hard-line extremist position against women negates and ignores the critical role played by women in national development. 

“What is worse is that PN, including Bersatu and Gerakan as well as STAR and Sabah Progressive Party, support such PAS leaders.” 

Former Petaling Jaya lawmaker Maria Chin Abdullah also condemned Sanusi over his “unacceptable and sexist comments”.

“Much more respect towards women is expected from a menteri besar. His statement is archaic and reflects his disdain and absolute contempt for women’s contribution towards the country. 

“Voters must not allow such so-called leaders to lead this nation where almost 50% of the population are women.

“It will be a real shame if the Kedah menteri besar is allowed to continue his disrespect for women,” she said in a statement.

They were responding to reports of Sanusi questioning the ability of women to become an elected people’s representative in Sik. 

“In Sik, the candidates (from BN and PH) are women. It is not that I’m demeaning women. (But) in Sik, a rural area with many people in need, they would seek help from the ‘wakil rakyat’ at all times.

“Will they be able to do so (if the elected representative is a woman)? I don’t think so. At 3am (if they’re woken up by constituents seeking their help), we can imagine their hair would be messy. How are they going to help victims of floods, for instance? It would take them more than two hours just to get ready,” he had reportedly said during a campaign for his party candidate. – November 12, 2022.