Pandemonium erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today when Deputy Information Minister Zainuddin Maidin accused PAS of being 'narrow minded and irritating'.

In his winding-up speech on the 2004 budget, Zainuddin said PAS parliamentarian Mahfuz Omar should not have questioned whether swimmer Abdul Malik Mydin had performed his prayers when crossing the English channel.

Last week, Mahfuz told the House that several viewers had called during two programmes on the state-owned RTM channels and asked how the swimmer had prayed during his record-breaking feat.

"(Iinstead of prayer), we should focus on his success for swimming across the English Straits - an individual who bought fame to the country in the international arena," said the deputy minister.

Shouting match

At this juncture, Mahfuz retorted that Abdul Malik gave more prominence to fame than executing his duties as a Muslim.

An irate Zainuddin then slammed PAS for being "narrow minded and irritating". This infuriated the other MPs from the Muslim-based party and a shouting match ensued.

As tempers began to flare, Speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail decided to call for a 15-minute recess.

However, Zainuddin later apologised for the disparaging remarks after being advised by the speaker.

Abdul Malik, who was the first Malaysian to cross the English channel, has been heralded as a national hero. Even Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had praised him repeatedly.

The 28-year-old swimmer, who hails from the premier's home state of Kedah, was also conferred the honorific title 'Datuk' for his accomplishment.