KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Awang Hashim's pantun, which touched on DAP's integrity as a political party, set off a shouting match in the Dewan Rakyat today.
It was the Pendang member of parliament's turn to debate the Supply Bill 2025. However, he began his turn with four lines of the Malay poetry form, taking the lead from R.S.N. Rayer (PH-Jelutong), who spoke before him.
"Segala demi perjuangan mendapat harta dan kuasa, segala maki hamun sudah menjadi suci, itulah perjuangan DAP kini dan semasa, hilanglah segala prinsip dan integriti," said Awang.
His pantun appeared to upset Rayer, who described Awang as being "disrespectful", and asked for him to retract the pantun.
Awang: Jelutong also (criticised), and I was fine with it.
Rayer: I ask for the pantun to be retracted.
Awang: I did not mention any names, I only named the party. Can't I do that?
Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar): You cannot mention the name of the party. I want it (the pantun) to be retracted. You should not be making malicious assumptions about DAP, it's the same as criticising party members. I ask for it to be retracted.
Rayer: If this is allowed, then (I can say) Pas is a party that spreads slander.
A shouting match then ensued before Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar), who presided over the session, intervened.
"Pendang, if you want to recite a pantun, you can, but not towards any party," said Shahar.
Awang then proceeded by asking his supplementary question to Deputy Finance Minister Lim Hui Ying.