LANGKAWI: Langkawi member of parliament Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah has urged everyone to lay off the attacks against him over his 'sexist' remarks to Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in Parliament last Thursday.
He also denied that his remarks were rude, obscene and sexual in nature as claimed by several quarters.
"There's no need for anyone to be overly sensitive, in fact, those who raised this matter have nothing to do with the debate (in Parliament) when it took place.
"She (Kok) had posed a provocative question and tried to trap me, so my approach was to answer in a provocative manner as well.
"The question regarding shorts was also answered many times previously, including by the Kedah Menteri Besar (Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor) himself to the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister (Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing)," he said when contacted.
Suhaimi, who is also Kedah Bersatu chairman, said his answer to Kok was done in a joking manner, as a way of inviting a friend to visit Langkawi.
"In reality, I share a good friendship with her (Kok), so my answer was a joke from one friend to another.
"It's possible that those who are making an issue of this (in referring him to the Parliament Rights and Privileges Committee) is akin to 'menangguk di air yang keruh' (benefiting from someone's misery) and seeking cheap publicity," he said.
Bentong MP Young Syefura Othman had sent a motion to the Dewan Rakyat secretariat to refer Suhaimi to the committee following what she claimed was a sexist remark made during the debate on the 2024 Budget in Parliament on Thursday.