Kuala Lumpur: A shouting match erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today after a backbencher raised an allegation linking Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) to a lucrative contract said to have been awarded to his son-in-law.
Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) brought up the allegation when debating Budget 2023, saying it was crucial for the government to tackle corruption.
Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) interjected, raising Standing Order 36(6), which states that no member of the House shall impute improper motives to any other member.
He demanded that Khoo retract his statement, warning that he would take the matter to court if he failed to do so.
A shouting match then ensued across the aisle before deputy speaker Alice Lau muted the MPs’ microphones and called on Muhyiddin to defend himself.
Muhyiddin, the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman, maintained that the allegation was false and intended to tarnish his reputation.
Lau then ordered Khoo to retract his statement after more shouts were heard.
Khoo said he will retract his statement and “reframe” it.
Muhyiddin had previously denied an allegation linking him to a lucrative contract said to have been awarded to his son-in-law, calling it a malicious lie.
He said he was never involved in the awarding of the National Integrated Immigration System (NIISe) contract to IRIS Corporation Bhd, for which there had been an open tender.
The case is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
