Malaysian parliament bans sexist, vulgar language
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Kuala Lumpur - The Malaysian parliament on Tuesday formally banned sexist remarks and vulgar language during debates, a senior minister said.
Nazri Aziz, minister in the Prime Minister's Department, said violators would be censured by the speaker.
Inappropriate remarks by male members have led to calls for stronger rules than the previous arrangement, which made no explicit provision for disciplining members for offensive remarks.
In 2007, a male parliamentarian used the word "leak" to refer to the menstruation of a female colleague during an argument about the maintenance of the parliament building roof.
Another MP in 2000 opened a speech by saying, "It is unusual for women's issues to be touched by men," then adding "but women are supposed to be touched by men."//DPA
