KUALA LUMPUR: A fiery debate unfolded in the Dewan Rakyat today, lasting around five minutes, with government and opposition members of Parliament (MPs) employing the words 'stooge' (macai) and 'wretched' (celaka).
It all began when RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) was debating on the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2023.
While wrapping up his debate, Rayer alleged that human rights violations occurred during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin's tenure as Prime Minister and urged the current government to ensure that such abuses do not happen again.
"I stand here to support this law because, with this law, we can ensure that the human rights violations that occurred during the Pagoh (Muhyiddin) administration do not repeat in the future. Pagoh is there, but he will not dare to answer," he said.
Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) then stood up, requesting Rayer's permission to respond and pose questions to him.
Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) also questioned why Rayer did not bring up the issue of Barisan Nasional (BN) governance concerning the legislation.
Rayer, however, ignored both MPs and said, "I ask all stooges to sit. I will wrap up."
This sparked Che Mohamad Zulkifly's anger, who labelled Rayer as disrespectful.
"Such insolence from Jelutong. What stooges? Do not be wretched," Che Mohamad Zulkifly repeated a few times.
Rayer then requested Che Mohamad Zulkifly to retract the word 'wretched.'
However, Che Mohamad Zulkifly initially defended his statement and went into question, "I said do not be wretched. I did not say you are wretched. Do you feel wretched?"
The Dewan Rakyat's Deputy Speaker, Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, interrupted the verbal clash and urged the Besut MP to withdraw his words.
"Those words need to be withdrawn. Does this mean all disallowed words in Parliament can be preceded by do not?" she questioned.
After being questioned by Alice, Che Mohamad Zulkifly then retracted his statement.
