UMNO President and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi made jokes about the appearance and weight of UMNO Wanita Chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad at the UMNO General Assembly, yet it was his daughter, Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid, who subsequently apologised on his behalf. Zahid was the one who made the remarks, and it was his words that caused offence. Why is he not the one stepping forward to take responsibility? As Deputy Prime Minister and president of a political party, the most basic form of accountability is to take responsibility for one’s own words and actions, rather than having his daughter apologise on his behalf.
Women in politics already face far greater scrutiny than men. How much more time must those who disrespect women spend commenting on whether a woman is too old, too young, too fat, too thin, or even on what she wears? The abilities, policies, performance and contributions of women leaders can certainly be criticised, but their bodies, age and appearance should not repeatedly become subjects of public judgement. Zahid made jokes about a woman leader’s physique and even described the Wanita grassroots as a “grandmothers’ machinery”. This is not humour; it shows a lack of even the most basic respect for women.
Women’s wings are not accessories to any political party, nor should women be mobilised when needed and turned into the butt of jokes when they are not. During elections and when grassroots work is at its most demanding, it is often women members who go from house to house, organise activities and maintain grassroots networks. To praise the women’s wing as an important pillar of the party on one hand, while making jokes about their age and appearance on the other, is nothing more than political hypocrisy.
This is why DAP stresses that women’s participation in politics is not decorative, but part of equal participation in decision-making. DAP has implemented a minimum of 30 per cent women’s representation in its central leadership and has committed to fielding at least 30 per cent women candidates in the next General Election. What we want to see is more women having genuine opportunities to participate in politics, lead and make decisions, rather than continuing to face comments about their age, bodies and appearance even after entering the political arena.
There are similar examples internationally. Former Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori faced strong backlash over remarks that were discriminatory towards women, eventually apologising publicly and resigning as president of the Tokyo Olympics Organising Committee in 2021. In the same year, Hiroshi Sasaki, creative director of the Tokyo Olympics opening and closing ceremonies, publicly apologised and resigned after suggesting an “Olympig” concept that mocked entertainer Naomi Watanabe’s physique. These incidents at least demonstrate that in a democratic society, the higher the position one holds, the greater the responsibility one must bear for one’s words.
At this UMNO General Assembly, instead of discussing policies and ideas, the focus has been on attacking DAP and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and even the women who stand alongside them have not been spared. What kind of example can such a political culture set for the country?
When those at the top set a bad example, those below follow. Sepang UMNO division chief Datuk Noorazli Said even told a sexually suggestive joke at the assembly about a priest touching a nun’s thigh. When the party president jokes about women’s bodies and age, while a delegate makes a sexually suggestive joke involving a priest and nun of another religion, what kind of values are UMNO leaders trying to convey to their grassroots?
Malaysians can hold different political views and engage in the fiercest political debates, but the dignity of women and religious beliefs must never become tools for politicians to win applause and laughter.
If Ahmad Zahid has made a mistake, he should stop hiding behind the excuse that it was merely a “joke”, and stop letting his daughter apologise on his behalf. True leadership means taking responsibility for one’s own words; true political maturity means knowing how to criticise one’s opponents while also knowing how to respect women and others. As Deputy Prime Minister of the country, if he cannot even demonstrate this basic level of accountability, how can he expect the people to have confidence in his leadership? What Zahid owes the public is not merely an apology, but an explanation befitting the responsibility of a Deputy Prime Minister.
Heng Lee Lee
DAP Wanita National Publicity Secretary