Inappropriate For Pm To Make Second Wife Joke

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 It is not anyone’s place to teach senior citizens good manners or how to behave in public, so what came over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim when he joked about second wives with Russian President Vladimir Putin?
One should not have to remind the PM that as the leader of a sovereign nation, he is expected to hold high standards of decorum. He represents Malaysia and its people.
He was not having a playful banter in a Russian pub with a muzhik (Russian peasant). Nor was he the honorary guest at the AGM of the Obedient Wives Club.
The PM was paying an official visit to the Russian president, and whether you like Putin or not or agree or disagree with his brand of politics, Anwar let the side down with his distasteful and inappropriate joke about second wives.
The press pack in attendance described Anwar’s remark as “witty”.
They and other members of the Malaysian delegation should also be ashamed of themselves. There was nothing witty about the second wife joke.
Putin mocked Anwar
The Russian leader gave Anwar a tour of the grand and opulent St Andrews throne room at the Kremlin palace.
Of the three golden thrones in the majestic setting, the president said that one was meant for the tsar, whilst another was for the tsarina.
Pointing to the third throne, Putin asked Anwar to hedge a guess for the remaining unlabelled seat.
Without any hesitation, Anwar quipped that it was “for the second wife”.
These exchanges were in a private conversation between the two leaders. We would not have been privy to any of this if not for Putin, who later related the incident at a press conference, with Anwar seated by his side.
Putin claimed that he jokingly responded to Anwar’s “second wife” remark with “That is the answer of a true Muslim, a representative of Islamic culture.”
When we view the video clips of the press conference, Anwar appeared to be highly amused and seemed unperturbed by his ignorance and his monumental cultural faux pas.
He wore a smug expression on his face and was oblivious to the fact that the Russian Orthodox church views marriage as a sacred union between a man and a woman. So much for a person who claims to be well read!
Our poor hapless PM, his media pack, and the communications minister all tried to put the spin that these two men were like close buddies who were able to share jokes.
No, they are wrong!
Putin’s remarks about Anwar being a good Muslim were dripping with sarcasm. He was mocking and humiliating Anwar, but it is doubtful if Anwar realised that the joke was on him.
The look on Anwar’s face suggests that he thought that Putin was probably being complimentary.
Bad taste, inexcusable
Nevertheless, the distasteful “second wife” remark was inexcusable for several reasons.
Jokes aside, these remarks were in bad taste. The PM was on a diplomatic visit and, more importantly, made the remarks against a backdrop of the grieving families of 289 passengers and crew who died when MH17 was shot down over Ukraine.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had earlier ruled that Russia was responsible for downing MH17 in 2014. Anwar failed the sensitivity test.
The wreckage of MH17The Malaysian public was shocked, but probably none more so than Putin himself, who must have been taken aback at Anwar’s debased remark.
Politically astute leaders know to be guarded with their comments because what they say has a habit of reappearing later, to be possibly used for political point-scoring.
It is sickening that the PM thinks the “second wife” comment is a laughing matter.
His remarks were an insult to women, especially to the many first wives in the Malay community in Malaysia who have been abandoned by their husbands.
The children of the first wives fare no better, as they are often ignored by their fathers.
Second wives are usually trophy wives or arm-candy for lustful polygamists. They are often family wreckers, and in some cases, are younger than the husband’s youngest daughter.
Out of touch
Anwar’s insensitive remark is another indication that he is probably out of touch with issues on the ground.
Syariah law is not standardised throughout Malaysia, and many abandoned wives are let down by the system.
The first wife issue is a perennial problem, and few politicians have the political will to resolve it.
Whilst Anwar and his mainly male entourage laughed at the “second wife” remark, Malaysian women know that this is the sort of banter which provides the perfect excuse and cover for misogyny and disrespect for women.
The PM should mind his language, because when he makes women the butt of his jokes, the reality is that thousands of abandoned first wives and single women are forced to lead devastating lives.
Nurul Izzah, Anwar’s eldest daughter, claimed in her deputy presidential campaign speech that she wanted to promote women’s issues. 
She should kickstart her pledge at home and educate her father on the problems left behind by polygamous husbands. - Mkini
MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and the president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, X.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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