Kuching DAP Youth slams Sarawak deputy premier for mocking Pending rep's childless status

KUCHING, Nov 1 — State DAP Kuching branch Youth chief Michael Kong Feng Nian today criticised Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian for his remark mocking DAP lawmaker Violet Yong Wui Wui for not having any children.

He urged Dr Sim to tender his apology to all women for what he said was an unflattering, shameless and despicable act that is very unbecoming of the deputy premier.

“The personal life of any woman, whether she is in politics or any other fields of work, be it her marital status or the number of children, is a personal matter and should not be used as a subject for political attacks or commentary,” he said in a statement.

“At the same time, we hope that SUPP, especially Dr Sim, will stop resorting to ignorant arguments, belittling women and making jokes about whether women have children,” he added.

Kong, who is also a special assistant to Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen, said he hopes SUPP's Women wing should also give Dr Sim a lesson or a briefing on gender equality and how to respect women.

“I also call on the people to reject political leaders who are discriminatory and insensitive towards women,” he said, adding that the people should seize the 15th general election to make it known that the society will not tolerate any bigotry remarks, especially towards women.

At a ceremony to switch on the light near the white cat statue in Padungan last night, Dr Sim, who is also SUPP president, had asked Violet Yong to define a “clean campaign” for the general election.

He said the DAP leader had resorted to using foul language during the campaigns in the past.

“Luckily, she hasn’t had any children yet, otherwise the children will learn the foul language also,” he was quoted as saying to the media.

Dr Sim was asked to comment on calls by the state DAP leaders for all political parties to have a clean campaign in the general election.