KUALA LUMPUR (AFP) — The opening session of Malaysia's new parliament descended into noisy name-calling Wednesday as a newly emboldened opposition took on the government.
"Monkey" and "Bigfoot" were two of the epithets hurled in a rowdy session during which lawmakers shouted and gesticulated in heated exchanges across the floor of the chamber.
The scenes, broadcast live on television, were an indicator of the new shape of Malaysian politics after Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's coalition suffered its worst ever election results last month.
The March 8 polls saw his Barisan Nasional coalition, which has ruled the country for the last half century, lose its two-thirds majority in parliament as well as control of five states.
In response to the chaos, Information Minister Ahmad Shabery Cheek threatened to pull the plug on the telecast, which was being trialled for the first time.
"Maybe there are people who love to watch circus, but parliament is not a circus," he said, adding that he would obtain feedback before deciding whether to continue with broadcasting.
The first sitting of Malaysia's 12th parliament was delayed by more than 20 minutes as government and opposition parliamentarians hurled barbs and raised technical issues.
Opposition Democratic Action Party chairman and lawmaker Karpal Singh began by questioning the way the session was being held when he was distracted by a government MP, Bung Moktar Radin.
"I hope Bigfoot... does not disrupt the proceedings," Karpal taunted him, using a long-standing gibe about Bung's physical size. "Bigfoot, sit down," he added.
Bung sprang from his chair, shouting: "I am Bigfoot, you are big monkey."
First-time house Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia struggled to control the situation.
"Let's not create chaos in parliament," he appealed as the verbal exchanges continued. "Let us ensure there is order in parliament."
A semblance of order was restored when Abdullah responded to a question on measures taken to reduce the impact of rising fuel and food prices.
However, Pandikar's refusal to allow the usual follow-up questions to the premier's response drew a further outburst, with former opposition leader Lim Kit Siang calling the restriction "a mockery of parliament."
The opposition, which has 82 lawmakers in the 222-seat house and is now able to block constitutional amendments, has vowed to play a vocal role.
Analysts say a rejuvenated parliament could herald a major change in the way democracy functions in Malaysia.
"What we really need to see now is if the opposition alliance can work together to create a shadow cabinet, which would be a check and balance against the government," political analyst Azmi Sharom told AFP.
"All this excitement and debate is good for the country and will mean greater accountability to the people," he added.
Karpal said later that Pandikar did not know the house rules.
"I hope he does not try to muzzle the opposition. If he goes on like this, there will be more disorder in the house," he told AFP.
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