Making his debut as an independent member of Parliament, Bayan Baru  MP Zahrain Hashim made a loud entrance of sorts that roused the House into a shouting match between both sides of the divide.

The parliamentarian began his maiden speech serenely enough, but the ruckus he kicked up snowballed into chaos as he spoke on the reasons why he left Pakatan Rakyat.

zahrain hashim parliament 150310 Uproar ensued when Zahrain began relating his version of events leading up to Sept 16 last year, the date which Pakatan Rakyat de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim said the opposition would take over the federal government.

The spark that ignited the powder keg of parliamentary fireworks was his allegation that Pakatan representatives were ‘told to be on stand-by in Parliament’ on Sept 16 to take over the legislature.

He claimed that the Pakatan parliamentarians were informed that they had the support of the army and the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"We were fooled (into believing) that the Agong was prepared and waiting for us at the palace to meet with the defected MPs and waiting for Pakatan Rakyat to form the federal government.

"The Agong was said to have blessed the appointment of Anwar as the prime minister. We were also 'bribed' with the story that the royal army was supporting us."

Zahrain’s claim prompted Anwar, who is opposition parliamentary leader, to stand up and claim Zahrain's change of heart came only after experiencing "power and riches".

Eventually, Anwar turned and walked out of the chambers.

Wet-market

What followed next was a barrage of hoots from BN representatives, who accused Anwar of not being able to take the heat, and counter-retorts by Pakatan parliamentarians deriding Zahrain for what they said were false claims.

" Takut! Takut! Takut! " (Scared! Scared! Scared!) jeered BN representatives, among the more notable of whom was Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Nazri Abdul Aziz (BN-Padang Rengas).

Dewan Rakyat deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee then intervened by reminding the House that the standing orders prohibit discussions onthe Agong and the judiciary unless there was a specific motion on them.

He was alluding to Zahrain's claims about the Agong and the military.

"Article 36(8) of Standing Orders states that the behaviour and qualities of the Agong and Malay rulers, state governors, judges or any other institutions cannot be mentioned unless through a motion."

bersih protest constitution amendment 071207 tian chua In the midst of the fracas, Tian Chua (PKR-Batu) stood up, and citing Order 36(6), said, "A member is not allowed to make malicious claims about another member, and this issue is not related to the royal address. This is an issue that was brought up to attack an individual and there is no opportunity for that individual to explain."

Kiandee, however, disagreed and said, "I do not see how Zahrain has violated that order [36(6)]."

The hullabaloo proceeded with both sides making more noise - while being oblivious to Zahrain. Amongst the most vocal of them were N Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) and Mohamad Aziz (BN-Sri Gading).

The wet market-like din of the session ended only when Kiandee adjourned the Dewan Rakyat to 10am tomorrow.

Pushed over the edge

Met outside the House, Zahrain defended his speech.

"I'm just telling the reasons why I left the party, my frustrations with (Parti) Keadilan (Rakyat) and the promises made by the ketua umum (party advisor), which were all lies. I didn't speak (of these things) in the press, I only spoke (about it) in Parliament," he told reporters.

Asked why he only voiced his dissent one year after the Sept 16 debacle, Zahrain said that other than the failed takeover, what pushed him over the edge was the flack he received over Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, whom he had labeled as a dictator and chauvinist.

"I was not defended. That was the last straw."

Zahrain was engaged in a war of words with Lim over a tussle with regards to a contract to manage golf clubs owned by the Penang Development Corporation.

anwar at federal syariah court 100310 Asked what he thought about Anwar ( left ) walking out, Zahrain said it was Anwar's "prerogative" to do so.

Anwar, meanwhile, told reporters after his exit from the Dewan that Zahrain was telling tall tales.

"Who is the MP that came during the supposed takeover? No one came. Nobody assembled in Parliament. But he made up the story like that. (It's) not true at all."

The Permatang Pauh MP also accused Zahrain of being an Umno stooge.

"He is being used by Umno for their cheap tricks. What for? He is mad because people accused him of the two dollar company (issue), so that is why he is saying this. That is the real issue," alleged Anwar.