MPs HURL INSULTS AT EACH OTHER
It started with Annuar ‘congratulating’ Kit Siang
MELISSA DARLENE CHOW KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my
THE Dewan Rakyat descended into chaos yesterday with parliamentarians from both sides of the divide hurling insults at each other.
The pandemonium started when Tan Sri Annuar Musa (BN-Ketereh) took the floor and “congratulated” Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Gelang Patah) for his long political career, saying that he had even gone past former prime ministerTun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe and former Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos.
“Gelang Patah has gone through 50 years of his political rhetoric. I would like to congratulate him.”
He said that Kit Siang’s politics had not changed, causing the latter to stand up to interject.
When Annuar refused to give way, Kit Siang hit back at him, saying if the former did not want him to speak, he should not make wild accusations.
“What is the point of accusing? You are a coward,” Kit Siang said.
At this juncture, Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut) stood up and called Annuar a coward and chicken s***.
He took things up a notch by shouting: “Duduk! Diamlah! Pondan diam! Separuh jantan!” (Sit down! Be quiet! Be quiet, sissy! Half-male!)
Annuar said when the Gelang Patah member of parliament spoke before him, Barisan Nasional representatives did not interrupt.
Things got heated again when Annuar said Dr Mahathir once said Kit Siang was a racist.
It did not sit well with Teo Kok Seong (DAP-Rasah), who stood up to defend Kit Siang and asked Annuar to retract the word.
In return, Datuk Wira Othman Abdul (BN-Pendang) stood up and said: “Tun Mahathir said it. Bodoh punya Rasah” (Stupid Rasah).
Annuar also alluded that Kit Siang was anti-Islam.
“I am of the view that society does not feel he supports Islam. Whether he is or isn’t anti-Islam, Pas would know. Your opposition to Marang’s (Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang) suggestion is an indication that you do not respect Islam.”
The heckling prompted Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee to single out those who hurled insults, reminding them that there were rules to be followed.
“Do not disrupt proceedings this way. You know the rules.”
Earlier, Annuar said as long as Pakatan Harapan was dominated by DAP, BN would not be afraid to face them in the coming general election.
“They can do whatever they want. BN can rely on its track record. BN is for the people. Pakatan is pro-DAP.
“We do not feel anxious or afraid of them. We are ready to face a pro-DAP Pakatan.”
He said even after 13 rejections, the opposition had not changed; the government’s success was a nightmare to them.
“If the economy is good, the unity is improving and the government is stable, these are bad news for the opposition.”
Annuar also said the opposition had claimed that the government was selling the country when a foreign government invested in Malaysia.