updated version Pandemonium erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today when backbencher Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) questioned why opposition veteran Karpal Singh (DAP-Bukit Gelugor) was still attending parliamentary proceedings when he was 'about to die'.

The 20-minute shouting match began when Karpal questioned an error made in the answer from Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum during the question-and-answer session.

Johari was speaking on properties confiscated under what was cited as the 'Dangerous Drugs Act 1989'.

Karpal ( left ), a prominent lawyer, pointed out that there was no such act. He said it should instead be the 'Dangerous Drugs Act 1952' while the power to confiscate property was under the Dangerous Drugs (Forfeiture of Property) Act 1988.

He argued that the deputy minister had made a factual error in his parliamentary reply and this, according to the DAP chairperson, amounted to 'misleading' the House. Johari denied this.

As Karpal continued to press for a correct answer from the deputy minister, Bung ( right ) became irritated and told the former to keep quiet.

'Sit down-lah grandaughter'

He said Karpal should be "grateful that he did not die" but merely became wheelchair-bound following his car accident in early 2005.

An irate Karpal responded: "We should refer this two ekor ( referring to Johari and Bung) to the Privileges Committee (for disciplinary action)."

At this juncture, other DAP MPs joined in the fray, including Fong Po Kuan (Batu Gajah).

"Sit down-lah, granddaughter," remarked Badruddin Amirrudin (BN-Jerai) in reference to Fong ( left ), the youngest parliamentarian.

Following this, M Kula Segaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat) seconded Karpal's motion to refer the duo to the Privileges Committee and Bung retorted: "No need, we don't know where these ( syaitan ) devils came from."

Suhaili Abdul Rahman (BN-Labuan) then told Karpal to "shut-up" while Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) told the House that the deputy minister should make a correction since the reply contained a factual error.

At one point, Bung Moktar exclaimed: "Stupid people, sit down."

Heated exchange

Johari explained that his answer was not wrong but rather the question from Ronald Kiandee (BN-Beluran) had wrongly cited the act as the 'Dangerous Drugs Act 1989'.

According to Bung, the explanation was sufficient and he told Speaker Ramli Ngah Talib that the House should not be distracted by Karpal's question.

However, opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP Timor) responded: "Why allow this wild man (Bung) in here?"

As the temperature continued to rise, Karpal invoked the Standing Orders. He said the speaker was empowered to reprimand Bung whom described as ' otak tak centre ' (not in the right frame of mind).

This led to an heated exchange between the two.

Bung: "He (Karpal) is already insane, asking nonsense."

Karpal: "Kinabatangan is insane and has no right to be here, he is an animal."

Bung: "He is the insane animal. He is about to die, why is he still here?"

Karpal: "Expel this animal from the House."

The speaker then told the House that parliamentarians should not cross the line when discussing issues.

Calm returned to the Dewan Rakyat when the speaker called for the next question.