A HEATED exchange erupted during a special parliamentary briefing by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on the Malaysia-Indonesia border issue.
The incident occurred when the Prime Minister rejected opposition claims that he had betrayed the country, following allegations made by Indonesian media that Malaysia had ceded land in Sabah to Indonesia.
Tensions flared when Anwar took a jibe at the opposition for making allegations against him instead of conducting constructive inquiries on the issue.
“If you don’t know, ask. Don’t hurl insults,” he said.
This drew a response from Datuk Rosol Wahid (PN-Hulu Terengganu) who cited Standing Order 36(12), accusing Anwar of implying that opposition MPs had used abusive language.
Rosol was joined by Datuk Awang Solahuddin Hashim (PN–Pendang), who cited Standing Order 36(6), saying Anwar had referred to him directly rather than by constituency.
Several backbenchers stood up to intervene, with Howard Lee (PH–Ipoh Timor) saying that Anwar should be allowed to continue his briefing uninterrupted, while Chong Zhemin (PH–Kampar) accused opposition lawmakers of previously making similar allegations against the Prime Minister.
Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) questioned whether it was proper for Anwar to label what was said by the opposition as insulting in the august House.
Responding to this, Anwar said he was referring to opposition statements accusing him of betraying the nation.
“I said there were insulting remarks and accusations alleging I had committed treachery.
“This is what must be corrected,” Anwar retorted.
Things heated up further when Awang Solahuddin interjected again and called Mohd Sany Hamzah (PH–Hulu Langat) a “penjilat” (bootlicker) after the latter told Awang Solahuddin to sit down.
Things cooled down after Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul suggested that the matter be referred to a parliamentary select committee for further scrutiny, with its findings to be presented to the House.
Anwar agreed that due process must be followed, saying that while an understanding reached between Malaysia and Indonesia, the final outcome has yet to be concluded.
“The process is not yet complete, as I have said.
“There is only an understanding between the two governments at this stage,” he said.
