An opposition Melaka state assembly representative took her Barisan Nasional counterpart to task today over his call o­n those who do not have masks to wear bras to protect themselves against the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreak.

Durian Tunggal representative Betty Chew also criticised Masjid Tanah representative Ramli Mohd Said for blaming pigs for the deadly virus which has killed more than 600 people worldwide.

Demanding an apology, she described the remarks, which were made during the state assembly meeting o­n Tuesday, as degenerating against women and the Chinese community.

She warned that if he failed to make amends, complaints would be lodged with the prime minister and his deputy and copies of his statements will be sent to their spouses.

"To make light of such a deadly disease not o­nly ridicules the efforts by health authorities to fight Sars, it also shows disrespect to the victims and worse of all makes fun of women," she said in a press statement.

"It is such outdated, crude and nasty thoughts of a BN assembly person that calls into question the government's promotion of moral, healthy and responsible values," she added.

Chew added that it was wrong and irresponsible for Ramli to use the state assembly as an avenue to reveal his prejudice towards women.

"If he is a gentleman, he should fully apologise to all women for his unacceptable comment," she said.

'Racial prejudice'

According to the DAP leader, she also received complaints about her BN counterpart during her regular rounds at a local market this morning.

Chew said she was told that Ramli had been blaming pigs for the disease and claimed that the virus had originated from the animal.

"Despite being challenged to do so in the state assembly, he has not been able to show proof that pigs cause Sars.

"By making a baseless remark, he is pandering to racial prejudice. Such extremist remarks is dangerous because of its undertone in blaming the Chinese community for consuming pork and rearing pigs," she said.

She added that battling the disease was a united effort but such remarks o­nly serve to fuel suspicion and extremism among Malaysians.

"Ramli should withdraw such remarks unless he can show proof that pigs cause Sars and apologise to pig farmers and the Chinese community," said the DAP leader.

It was reported recently that in Taiwan, a factory was modifying brassieres into face masks as the latter becomes increasingly difficult to find in the country which is among those worst hit by the outbreak.