Parliament proceedings disrupted

KUALA LUMPUR: Proceedings at the 12th Parliament started 30mins late Wednesday morning as Opposition MPs raised several procedural issues, with led to some name-calling between representatives.

First Gombak MP Azmin Ali asked about why Barisan Nasional representatives were allowed seven questions, and Pakatan Rakyat only three.

Based on the number of backbenchers each coalition had, he said Pakatan should have been allowed six questions.

Then Bukit Gelugor Karpal Singh brought up the issue of MPs not following the proper process in oath-taking and also questioned the seating arrangements.

This led to an altercation between Karpal and Bung Mokhtar, with Karpal calling the Kinabatangan MP "Big Foot."

Bung Mokhtar hit back, saying, "If I'm Big Foot, you're a Big Monkey."

This was the first time Parliament proceedings were telecast live.

Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek later said he may have to reconsider the live telecast of Question Time at Parliament.

He said the morning's delay was probably because some MPs "were playing to the gallery."

The Star