PSB Serembu protem chief taken aback by ‘budak’ remark in Parliament
KUCHING: Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) Serembu branch protem chairperson Iana Akam is deeply appalled by Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman for calling Muar MP Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman ‘budak’ during the Parliamentary sitting on Tuesday.
In a statement yesterday, she pointed out that it was not the first time that such condescending remarks were thrown at the youths.
“As someone that is senior in the political field, Pasir Salak MP should empower the youths instead of shutting them down.
“We need to remember that a lot of the youths nowadays are watching and paying close attention to our country’s politics. We want them to feel that their voices and ideas matter because they are the future of this nation, how can we bridge and grab the confidence of youth if we keep shoving and dismissing them by building barriers like calling them ‘budak’?” she stressed.
Iana said that she was also aware that the Pasir Salak MP did mention that he was merely joking.
“But ‘jokes’ as such have negative ripple effects. It does not only diminish the confidence of the youths, but also it might make the youths feel like they don’t want to be involved in our country’s politics.
“They might not even want to register to vote because they feel disrespected and their voice doesn’t matter,” she said.
Iana urged Tajuddin to not only apologise to Syed Saddiq, but also to the youths of Malaysia.
“He also owes an apology to the youths of Malaysia because they matter and age shouldn’t be a licence for someone like him to disrespect the future (leaders) of our nation.
“We would all do well to take a leaf from the memoirs of the greatest Prime Minister Britain ever had, Sir Winston Churchill who said: ‘ Now hear this young men and women everywhere, and proclaim it far and wide. The earth is yours and the fullness thereof. Be kind, but be fierce. You are needed now more than ever before. Take up the mantle of change. For this is your time.’” she added.