MPs quote superstar Rajinikanth in Parliament

KUALA LUMPUR: Indian superstar Rajinikanth left his mark in the Dewan Rakyat when he inspired lawmakers to use his quotes in relation to the Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields.

Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, in his winding up speech for Budget 2016 Wednesday, recalled a Rajinikanth quote told to him by Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.

"Rajinikanth said in a movie 'I did not know yesterday what happened today, and I do not know today what will happen tomorrow.

"What I do know, and what I want to say today, is that I, as the Tourism and Culture Minister, will defend the Ashram all the way," he said.

He then asked Kapar MP G. Manivanan to repeat the quote in its original Tamil language, which deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee allowed.

Manivanan gamely repeated the line, and went on to add another Rajinikanth quote.

"Rajinikanth had said, 'when I say something once, it is equivalent to me saying it a hundred times.'

"This is the case with the Minister, once he says he will defend the Ashram, he does not have to say it 100 times and will maintain his stand," he said.

MPs in the House were left in stitches when Manivanan went on to imitate a popular Rajinikanth salute.

Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasagaran also joined in the fun, thanking Mohamed Nazri for helping with efforts to preserve the Indian cultural heritage.

Manivanan then asked Mohamed Nazri if he was prepared to join him and Kulasagaran to contest the judicial review filed by Ashram trustees against the Minister's decision gazetting it as a heritage site.

Mohamed Nazri replied he would be with them to "fight until the end" to ensure his decision stands and the Ashram protected by heritage laws.