Speaking to reporters at the parliament lobby, the Pasir Salak MP defended his remark made against DAP’s Teresa Kok on Monday, emphasising that he had merely referred to her surname and wasn’t attempting to insult her.
On Monday, his exact quote in the august house was “the only woman with a Kok is in Seputeh”.
When pressed further by reporters on what he said, the agriculture and agro-based industry deputy minister said that his remarks came about because Kok was disturbing him during the question and answer time.
Tajuddin explained that he had no intention of hurling misogynistic remarks and claimed that he had received WhatsApp messages from Wanita Umno members at his constituency supporting him despite heavy criticism by the public.
He again accused opposition leaders for “ganging up” against him in parliament, referring to an earlier remark by Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng, who pointed out that not only had the latter made a sexist remark, he also insulted Kok’s family name.
“They (opposition MPs) keep attacking me in the Dewan and I was helpless. I had to defend myself. They (opposition) were all ganging up against me for Teresa Kok.
“Nobody from my side defended me. You want to know why? Because they (BN MPs) couldn’t be bothered with all these drama.”
As reporters pressed further on the possibility that BN lawmakers were conceding that Tajuddin was in the wrong, he dismissed such claims, saying that he is able to defend himself.
“I told them (BN leaders) I will fight on my own. Don’t assume that they don’t want to fight for me. I’m not helpless… but when they (opposition) raised the issue yesterday, I wasn’t there. If I was there I would’ve stood up for myself.
“Can you understand me? Which media are you from? Why you didn’t ask (Shah Alam MP) Khalid Samad why he called me ‘sial’ (damned)? Why should I say sorry?”
Subsequently, a reporter pointed out that perhaps Tajuddin should’ve apologised as Kok might have been offended when he had “made fun of her name”.
Tajuddin then said:” Why should they feel offended? I wasn’t making fun of her surname. If I call her by her surname correctly, am I wrong? Her name is Teresa Kok right?”
The Pasir Salak MP’s remarks on Monday had led to an uproar in the House. Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee however, ignored opposition MPs, saying that Tajuddin was merely referring to Kok’s surname.
This in turn led to an incensed Khalid, who came to Kok’s defence and subsequently called Tajuddin a “menteri sial” (damned minister). Angered by Khalid, Tajuddin then threatened to take legal action against him.
Tajuddin then told reporters that his lawyers had sent a letter of demand to Khalid in the morning, which required the latter to apologise and retract the word “sial” within seven days.
The letter of demand stated: “The allegations expressly and/or impliedly contained in the impugned statements are untrue, malicious, unfounded and constitute a very grave defamation of our client (Tajuddin).
“The impugned statements have disparaged our client’s good name and have injured our client’s reputation and brought him into public hatred, ridicule, contempt and odium.
“In view of the foregoing, you (Khalid) have caused injury to our client’s reputation, and have caused our client to be embarrassed, hated and/or despised and brought into odium and contempt and lowered our client in the estimation of right thinking members of the public.”