"If we see women who don't have husbands and are divorced not because their husbands are dead, (it must be because) they are 'gatal sikit'" (a little itchy - an euphemism for being lustful).

This was the stupefying phrase uttered by Abdul Fatah Harun (PAS-Rautau Panjang) which more than ruffled parliamentarians' feathers at the Dewan Rakyat today.

The remark prompted all women cabinet members, backbenchers and opposition members as well as some male parliamentarians to stand up spontaneously in protest.

The verbal fracas began when Abdul Fatah interjected Women, Family and Community Development Minister Sharizat Abdul Jalil when the latter was winding up the ministry's speech on the 9th Malaysia Plan. The former made his statement when the minister touched on the plight of divorced women who were also single mothers.

Clearly shocked, Sharizat said she was disappointed and demanded the remark be withdrawn. Unfazed, Abdul Fatah argued that he was referring to 'most' divorced women and not 'all' women.

"I said most women. I didn't say all women. Most of the women who have divorced are gatal," he persisted.

'I can teach you'

This further angered woman parliamentarians in the House. Tan Lian Hoe (BN-Bukit Gantang) also demanded that Abdul Fatah withdraw his statement.

"You said women are gatal. Why don't you say men who have divorced are also gatal? Why don't you said they are miang? (euphemism for lustful male) If you are a gentleman, you have to withdraw that remark which is humiliating to women," she thundered.

Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) said the impression given was that all woman divorcees were lustful and this should be rectified there and then in House. "We cannot give students the wrong picture that only women should be blamed for divorces," she said, referring to a group of students present in the public gallery.

Sharizat responded that she was sad that Abdul Fatah had formed his opinion. "I think only men from one particular party are like that [...] I urge the head of your party come to see me so I can teach you how to respect women," she shot back.

At this juncture, Lim Bee Kau (BN-Padang Serai) invoked the standing orders asking for the remark to be withdrawn as it humiliated parliamentarians especially women MPs.

Surprisingly, Idris Haron (BN-Tangga Batu), who previously claimed in the House that the uniforms of Malaysia Airlines' stewardesses could arouse lust in male passengers, stood up to lend his support to the woman parliamentarians.

"Rantau Panjang has forgotten that women are our mothers. He should avoid using a general statement like this," he said.

Another furious male parliamentarian Abdul Ghapur Salleh (BN-Kalabakan) also invoked the standing orders demanding Abdul Fatah withdraw the unparliamentarian word.

"I want the speaker to rule whether gatal is polite or not. If it's polite, we can use it next time as well," he said.

Reluctant withdrawal

Deputy Speaker Lim Si Cheng then asked Abdul Fatah to explain his context in using the word.

An unrepentant Abdul Fatah insisted that he would not withdraw the 'usual' word and that he had no malicious intention.

At this juncture, Zaid Ibrahim (BN-Kota Bahru) joined the fray. "If what Rantau Pajang said is allowed in the House, this would set a dangerous precedent. It is an unfounded argument. He implied that most single mothers are gatal. Accusing single mothers or women as a cause of divorce. This is inappropriate," he said.

Despite the overwhelming criticism, Abdul Fatah was unmoved and instead reiterated his belief. "I could withdraw it but give me an alternative word then," he said.

His provocative response sparked off another round of shouting and rebuttals resulting in pandemonium. Parliamentarians began to chant 'tarik balik, tarik balik' (withdraw, withdraw) with cabinet members and MPs standing up in protest.

Attempting to restore order, Lim then ordered Abdul Fatah to withdraw the word. However, it took repeated orders from Lim before Abdul Fatah finally complied.

"I only withdraw the word (gatal). But not the fact (as I have said)."

Before resuming her speech, Sharizat warned him not to use the word in future. "I warn you not to use the word gatal to describe women again," she said icily.