If monotony is the feature of parliamentary debate, two members today proved that the quality of discussion does not dramatically improve outside the House either.

While speaking at length on the 2004 budget proposals this afternoon, Husam Musa (PAS-Kubang Kerian) raised allegations of corruption involving political leaders. There were the usual protests and objections from Barisan Nasional members of Parliament.

The noise level rose when the topic turned to an issue that had landed PAS in hot soup in recent weeks - that in Kelantan and Terengganu, men are apparently allowed to sodomise their wives.

Noh Omar (BN-Tanjung Karang), also parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister's Department, kept up the heckling.

In response to his constant interjections, Husam said: "You want a debate, let's meet outside this hall, you and me, in front of the reporters, 3pm sharp."

When the challenge was duly accepted, about 12 reporters, photographers and television crew - and about six MPs as well - scurried outside to take up positions.

With RTM cameras poised and reporters getting out pens and tape recorders, Noh and Husam faced off.

Hot air

Noh looked pleased and confident, Husam looked like he didn't know what he had gotten himself into. And then it began:

Noh

: PAS permits men to sodomise their wives because the hudud laws of Kelantan and Terengganu do not specify any punishment for the crime..

Husam

: Of course not... sodomy of one's wife is punishable under another set of laws called 'ta'zir.

Noh

: So which laws are applicable in such an instance of sodomy?

Husam

: Under the ta'zir laws enacted by the previous BN government of Kelantan.

Noh

: PAS is indebted to the BN government! That also means you have two sets of laws.

Husam

: You also have two sets of laws. In your laws, you don't even punish sodomy of any women, not to mention one's wife.

Noh

: That is another matter..."

And that was about the extent of the hot air exchanged, as the argument degenerated into a repetition of past arguments and partisan rhetoric.

Sighs of exasperation were heard from many quarters. Someone wondered if the television cameras had been on at all.