KUALA LUMPUR: A member of parliament has asked whether he could use the word 'barua' in the Dewan Rakyat, after alleging another lawmaker had used it in yesterday's meeting.
Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) during the debate session today said P. Kasthuriraani (PH- Batu Kawan) had used the derogatory word 'barua' (lackey) yesterday, violating the Dewan Rakyat Standing Order 36(4) which prohibits MPs from using offensive language or making sexist remarks.
Amidst shouts and a war of words between MPs, Kasthuriraani was heard to have said something like, "kau dah jadi barua kerajaan baru ke?", apparently directed to the newly-appointed Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.
Azhar, who was sworn in yesterday, faced disgruntled opposition MPs who protested his appointment replacing Tan Sri Mohd Ariff Md Yusof who was removed through bloc voting.
It was conducted following a motion tabled by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who stated having another candidate as the reason.
"Yesterday, Batu Kawan used the word 'barua', directing it at the speaker. I want to know whether we can use the word in parliament, because if so, I would use it today. I ask for a ruling whether the word is parliamentary or un-parliamentary," he told the Dewan Rakyat.
Deputy speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said the Dewan Rakyat Standing Order 37(1) (a) states that an MP shall resume his seat after raising a point of order and that any interruption was simply to raise a matter to the Speaker who would then make a ruling.
"In this matter, let the Chair (Speaker) make the ruling. I have to read the Hansard first and discuss this with the Speaker (Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun) who would then make a ruling on this (remark by Kasthuriraani)."
Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) had earlier retracted and apologised for the word 'gelap' (dark) and sexist remark 'pakailah bedak' (put on face powder) he had used in addressing Kasthuriraani yesterday.
Kasthuriraani then voiced her dissatisfaction to Azhar calling for a strict ruling as Abdul Azeez was a repeat "offender".
Azhar asked that the matter not be prolonged further, reminding all MPs to raise issues and debate in an orderly manner.