Parliament kicked off this week with a furor over a sexist remark made by a male government official over the marital status of one of its female members.

The day started rather gloomily but Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh), one of the two single female MPs * , was exceptionally chirpy in the august House today. Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) is the other single female MPs.

One could hear Kok uttering 'snide' remarks everytime a deputy minister or parliament secretary stood up to answer questions from the floor.

What she did not expect, however, was her marital status to become the focal point of contention during the house's question-and-answer session.