KUALA LUMPUR: Chaos erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today after the opposition bloc questioned Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing's command of the Malay language.
During the ministry's winding-up session on the royal address debate, Tiong was called out by several opposition lawmakers to provide clear explanations.
They included Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) who asked for a clear explanation of tourist data in Malaysia.
"Can you explain clearly, I cannot quite understand (the explanation). Not only me, but many others are also experiencing the same thing.
"Please speak more clearly as we are afraid that (you) might confuse the House," she said.
To this, Tiong told the Masjid Tanah MP that a written reply would be given to her earlier question.
Datuk Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) also raised Standing Order 38(3), stating that the lawmakers were having difficulties understanding due to the minister's incoherent explanation.
"Can we stop this as we do not understand what is being read? We do not understand the issues that are being explained by the minister, (and) he might not understand them himself either.
"I also request the minister to not have a wrap-up as we do not understand. The language used is Malay, so best to have it in written replies.
"Just get the officer to write in a language that we can all understand," he said, adding that Tiong's explanation would be officially recorded.
However, Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) said he understood Tiong's explanation and that Awang was merely wasting the minister's time.
"Pendang is wasting time, (and) wasting the minister's time. I understand what the minister is saying perfectly. Why does he not understand?"
The House quietened when Deputy Speaker Datuk Ramli Mohd Noor agreed with Bung and said that he understood the explanation provided by Tiong.