KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat briefly erupted in chaos on Monday when Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) remarked that some lawmakers behaved as if they had just come out of a pen (terlepas kandang).
The remarks drew a reaction from a government backbencher who believed they were directed towards him.
"Someone has been causing disruptions as if they have just come out of a pen (terlepas kandang)," Shahidan said during his debate on the United States reciprocal tariffs in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday (May 5).
Mohd Sany Hamzan (PH-Hulu Langat) claimed the remarks were aimed at him.
Sany cited Standing Order 36(6), which prohibits MPs from making defamatory statements towards other lawmakers.
"He mentioned a pen (kandang). And it was directed to Hulu Langat. Pens are for animals," Sany said before going on a tirade against Shahidan.
"Speaker, I want him to retract. This is rude," he added.
A shouting match erupted between the two MPs even after their microphones were turned off.
Shahidan said he did not direct the remarks to Sany, although Sany insisted that he had mentioned him.
Deputy Speaker Alice Lau, who was presiding over the meeting, said she would have to check the Hansard to see if Shahidan had indeed made the remarks, before allowing proceedings of the House to carry on.