SEREMBAN: Negeri Sembilan DAP veteran club chairman Lee Kong Hing apologizes to women for using masks made from sanitary pads in protest over the appointment of an” outsider “for the senator post. 

“I have no intention to insult women and I respect women.  I am using sanitary pad as a tool and hope that everyone does not misinterpret my intention.’’ said Lee, who is accompanied by DAP veteran club chairman Lay Hock Peng.

In a press conference held on Sunday, more than 50 veteran members from Seremban, Lukut, Bahau and Tampin wore the masks to express their frustration over the silence of 19 state committee members on the proposed appointment of Datuk Vincent Wu Him Ven as a senator.

Wu is a central executive member of DAP from Johor.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke expressed regret and urged Lee to apologize over the inappropriate and insensitive use of sanitary pads, adding that Lee should raise the matter through internal channel available in the party.

“I shoulder part of the responsibility as state chairman,” said Loke, adding that Lee lacked wisdom and resorted to an outdated measure due to inadequate political education. 

DAP women’s wing head Teo Nie Ching also criticized Lee for being disrespectful to women.

Teo disagreed with Lee, saying that using sanitary pads as tools of attack or ridicule only reinforces the shame and stigma long associated with menstruation.

On the proposed appointment of Wu, Loke said the matter was discussed at the state committee then the central executive committee to decide.

“The names of a total of three candidates were submitted. one of them was proposed by Lee, another veteran of DAP and Wu. Wu was shortlisted as a grassroots leader who had served the party for many years,’’ said Loke.

The proposal was made according to party constitution. Loke said, adding that it could not be changed by a protest of some members.