Speaker asks Abdul Azeez to apologise for using offensive words ‘gelap’, ‘bedak’

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun attends the sitting yesterday.- Bernama photo

KUALA LUMPUR: The newly-elected Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun began the Dewan Rakyat sitting today by asking the Member of Parliament (MP) for Baling Datuk Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim to make an apology for using the words ‘gelap’ and ‘bedak’ in his remarks which caused a heated exchange among the lawmakers in the House yesterday.

The war of words broke out when Abdul Azeez uttered the words “gelap tak nampak” which implied that the person was dark-skinned when Kasthuriraani Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) stood up and questioned why there was no woman named in the Parliament Select Committee motion.

“I have checked the Hansard and found that the words are offensive and I would like to ask Honourable Baling MP to apologise and withdraw those words,” he said.

Obeying the instruction, Abdul Azeez stood up, apologised and withdrew the words, saying that he had no intention of calling anyone ‘gelap’.

“I was seated on that side for two years, and the area is ‘gelap’ (dark) and we hardly get the Speaker’s attention.

“I meant to say that the area is dark. It is important for the people to understand that I did not mean to call anyone with that word as I myself is dark-skinned, so there is really no reason for me to say that,” he said. – Bernama

— MORE TO COME —

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