Pandemonium in Dewan Rakyat as “macai”, “celaka” lead to shouting match

Pandemonium in Dewan Rakyat as “macai”, “celaka” lead to shouting match

A SHOUTING match had erupted in Parliament earlier today (Nov 29) as MPs from both sides of the aisle hurled flung the words “macai” and “celaka” at each other.


Jelutong MP RSN Rayer became irated when Besut MP Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh stood up to interrupt his debate and mentioned Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s name.

When debating the Human Rights Commission (Amendment) Bill 2023, Rayer alleged that there had been violations when Muhyiddin was in government.


“With this law, human rights violations that occurred during Pagoh’s (Muhyiddin) administration will not be repeated in the future.

“Pagoh is here but he won’t dare to get up to answer,” Rayer said in an attempt to bait the Pagoh MP, who is also the Bersatu president.

The DAP lawmaker’s statement immediately drew the ire of Che Mohamad, Pasir Mas MP Ahmad Fadhli Shaari and Alor Setar MP Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden who stood up to intervene.

Rayer then proceeded to demand the macai to sit down, which triggered Che Mohamad to raise his voice to highlight his dissatisfaction over Rayer’s behaviour and asked him not to “be a celaka”.

“Jelutong (Rayer) is rude. What’s wrong? Rude. Don’t be ‘celaka’,” said Che Mohamad.

Rayer then requested Deputy Speaker Alice Lau to instruct Che Mohamad to withdraw his remark, which he refused, claiming that he did not accuse Rayer of being a “celaka” but was merely reminding the MP not to be one.

“I said don’t be. I didn’t say he (Jelutong) was ‘celaka’. I didn’t even say it,” Che Mohamad shot back.

Lau, however, rejected Che Mohamad’s explanation and demanded that the latter withdraw his remark because its use was considered a violation of Dewan Rakyat rules.

“That word needs to be withdrawn. If not withdrawn, does this mean that all un-parliamentary words can be used with the word ‘don’t’ attach before them? Withdraw,” Lau stressed.

Still unsatisfied, Che Mohamad then asked Lau to also instruct Rayer to withdraw the word “macai”.

Eventually, Che Mohamad agreed to retract his statement. – Nov 29, 2023