"Association of Women Lawyers’ president Meera Samanther urged the British public to ask the mayor to resign as “we do not think London deserves a sexist mayor who insults not just Malaysian women but women all over the world”.
Extracted from: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2013/07/10/London-mayor-slammed-over-remarks-His-comments-that-women-attended-varsity-to-find-husbands-cause-ou.aspx
By WONG PEK MEI and JANE TAN
newsdesk@thestar.com.my
PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are outraged by London mayor Boris Johnson’s (pic) remarks that women attended university to find husbands.
Women non-governmental groups and youths did not feel that it was a laughing matter and demanded for the mayor to apologise to women.
Sisters-in-Islam executive director Ratna Osman said Johnson’s behaviour and remarks were reminiscent of Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin and some of the country’s MPs whose “sexism is cloaked in jokes”.
“Often such remarks are not taken seriously and dismissed precisely because they are delivered in jest, but the underlying view that they hold of women is very clear.
“It seems like an arrogant presumption on his part that a woman cannot possibly find self-worth and motivation without attaching herself to a man and marriage,” she said.
According to British newspaper The Guardian, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said women in Malaysia played a prominent role in society at the World Islamic Economic Forum in London.
“Before coming here, my officials told me that the latest university intake in Malaysia, a Muslim country, 68% will be women entering our universities,” said Najib.
Johnson interrupted him, suggesting the female students went to university because they “have got to find men to marry”.
Association of Women Lawyers’ president Meera Samanther urged the British public to ask the mayor to resign as “we do not think London deserves a sexist mayor who insults not just Malaysian women but women all over the world”.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Yu Chok Tow said Johnson should apologise as it was an insult to women and their parents, who worked hard to support their children in university.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said it was “unbecoming for a mayor to make such remarks”.
“This is not a way for him to show his sense of humour,” said the former deputy education minister.
Meanwhile, Universiti Kebang-saan Malaysia student Saidah Umairah Zul Azki, 22, said women entered university because they were qualified enough, and not to find a man to marry.
Duty manager Eugene Ong Zi Hao, 23, said women are currently more independent and career-orientated.
“Not every woman enters university to find a prince charming,” he said.
Sisters-in-Islam executive director Ratna Osman said Johnson’s behaviour and remarks were reminiscent of Kinabatangan MP Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin and some of the country’s MPs whose “sexism is cloaked in jokes”.
“Often such remarks are not taken seriously and dismissed precisely because they are delivered in jest, but the underlying view that they hold of women is very clear.
“It seems like an arrogant presumption on his part that a woman cannot possibly find self-worth and motivation without attaching herself to a man and marriage,” she said.
According to British newspaper The Guardian, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak had said women in Malaysia played a prominent role in society at the World Islamic Economic Forum in London.
“Before coming here, my officials told me that the latest university intake in Malaysia, a Muslim country, 68% will be women entering our universities,” said Najib.
Johnson interrupted him, suggesting the female students went to university because they “have got to find men to marry”.
Association of Women Lawyers’ president Meera Samanther urged the British public to ask the mayor to resign as “we do not think London deserves a sexist mayor who insults not just Malaysian women but women all over the world”.
Wanita MCA chief Datuk Yu Chok Tow said Johnson should apologise as it was an insult to women and their parents, who worked hard to support their children in university.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said it was “unbecoming for a mayor to make such remarks”.
“This is not a way for him to show his sense of humour,” said the former deputy education minister.
Meanwhile, Universiti Kebang-saan Malaysia student Saidah Umairah Zul Azki, 22, said women entered university because they were qualified enough, and not to find a man to marry.
Duty manager Eugene Ong Zi Hao, 23, said women are currently more independent and career-orientated.
“Not every woman enters university to find a prince charming,” he said.
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