KUALA LUMPUR: A shouting match erupted in the Dewan Rakyat after a Perikatan Nasional member of Parliament claimed DAP wanted to close down the Community Development Department (Kemas).
The commotion began after Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) called for an audit on funds allocated to MPs and questioned who received the funds.
"I heard it (the allocation) was given to Kemas. What has been given to Kemas? DAP wants to close Kemas, we will defend Kemas," he said when debating the Audit (Amendment) Bill 2024.
This prompted a reaction from DAP MPs Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh) and RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) who stood up to demand Shahidan retract his statement.
They also wanted him to prove his claims.
"We (DAP) never said that we want to close Kemas, please retract your statement," said Kok.
The shouting match continued for five minutes before Deputy Speaker Alice Lau instructed Shaidan to prove his claims.
Failing to provide evidence of his claims, Shahidan said he meant to say that Pakatan Harapan, which DAP is a part of, wanted to shut down Kemas.
In response, Kok and Rayer said Shahidan's statement was worse than his original claim.
Lau said Shahidan's remarks contradicted his initial claim.
"That is not what you said just now," she said.
Shahidan then retracted his statement.
Meanwhile, Lau advised Rayer to file a motion to refer Shahidan to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee.