KUALA LUMPUR: An Opposition lawmaker created a stir in Parliament today when she referred a Barisan Nasional MP as ‘itu yang jahat’ (the wicked one).
Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) temporarily stalled the Dewan Rakyat when she criticised the federal government for not consulting the state governments when implementing infrastructure projects.
Gerakan’s Liang Teck Meng (BN-Simpang Renggam) interjected, saying that the Penang government had also failed to consult with the federal government in the former’s proposed undersea tunnel project.
Kok dismissed the Gerakan secretary-general, arguing that he is not from Penang nor does he hold any government posts.
This prompted Datuk Shabudin Yahaya (BN-Tasek Gelugor) to interject, saying that he is from Penang and thus, can ask the question.
At this point, Kok uttered the line ‘itu yang jahat’ in an apparent reference to Shabudin’s previous accusation against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
Shabudin had questioned Lim over the sale of a plot of state government-owned land and the purchase of a multi-million ringgit piece of property in George Town, at the Parliament sitting earlier this year.
Kok’s outburst triggered a loud protest from Shabudin, who demanded that she ‘tarik balik’ (withdraw) her words.
Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Ronald Kiandee also intervened, repeatedly pleaded with Kok to withdraw her words.
He reminded Kok that it is improper for her to utter such words.
The DAP national vice-chairperson withdrew her words but maintained that she was doing so under protest, which sparked further uproar in the Dewan Rakyat.
The Deputy Speaker then told her that she must ‘tarik balik’ (withdraw) unconditionally.
Kok relented, but not before Shabudin retorted by saying 'dia punya mulut yang jahat’ (her mouth is the wicked one), which he later withdrew.
Kok could not resist another jab and said 'siapa yang makan cili dia rasa pedas’, a Malay proverb that only those guilty would feel the heat.