KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 — Over the years, Parliament sittings have had their fair share of “standing” jokes and sexist remarks.

It was one of those times again yesterday and the House was in stitches although the subject matter was serious – whether men can be raped by women.

Pengerang MP Datuk Seri Azalina Othman insisted this was physically impossible as “rape is defined by penetration.”

She said this in reply to Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin who had asked if rape laws are applicable to males who have undergone sex change and transgenders.

“A person’s gender is determined by what is between the legs. It depends if the person still has ‘it’ or not. The person is a man if he can still perform.

“Please demonstrate (and) explain how a man can be raped,” she said when debating proposed amendments to the Penal Code.        

The discussion, however, was cut short by deputy speaker Datuk Ismail Mohamed Said as schoolchildren were present to observe the proceedings.