“Bastard” in the House

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 5 – It is often referred to as “this august house” but conduct in the Dewan Rakyat today plumbed new depths with obscene language that would make even a street walker protest.

More than eyebrows were raised when a government MP called an opposition member a “bastard”.

Datuk Tajuddin Abdul Rahman (BN-Pasir Salak) used the expletive on M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) after the Ipoh Barat member said the Pasir Salak Indian community “hated” Tajuddin.

Immediately, a furious Tajuddin yelled out “Bastard!”, and repeated the insult.

“You bloody bastard, show me proof,” Tajuddin screamed.

As one, opposition MPs objected to the profane language, prompting the deputy speaker, Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, to tell Tajuddin to retract the offensive word.

However, Tajuddin replied that he would take it back only if Kulasegaran also retracted his allegation.

“He said I am hated (benci) by the Indians in Pasir Salak. How does he know this?” he said.

Kulasegaran replied that his statement was fair comment.

“I was the MP for Teluk Intan, which is the neighbouring constitutency to Pasir Salak. I have friends and relatives there (Pasir Salak). Surely, I am allowed to speak the truth,” he said.

The deputy speaker then said that Kulasegaran had provoked Tajuddin when he used the word “benci”

“That is strong. You should not have used it. I think you should withdraw that word and I will instruct him (Tajuddin) to withdraw the unparliamentary word he used,” Wan Junaidi said.

Kulasegaran: “ I have heard a lot of unparliamentary words. This is the first time I hear that hate is not an acceptable term. I will withdraw it and replace it with ‘don’t like him’(tak suka).”

Wan Junaidi then told Tajuddin to withdraw his offensive remark.

“I withdraw the word but he shamed me,” he said.

The “solution” was not entirely satisfactory to several members, including Lim Lip Eng (DAP-Segambut), who asked for clarification.

“Two weeks ago, when Karpal Singh told the speaker to be serious … he was thrown out. But here, Pasir Salak used the word bastard twice and nothing was done. Why is there a double standard?” Lip Eng asked Wan Junaidi.

Wan Junaidi said the earlier decision was made by the chair (Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia).

“What he (Tajuddin) said has been retracted. The issue resolved,” he said.