PARLIAMENT Malaysian MPs today lashed out at one another in English in a colourful display, seemingly to win over a delegation of visiting Australian MPs.

Debating the Goods and Services Tax Bill 2014, Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak) sparked the loud commotion when he quipped in English, for the benefit of the Australians, that the BN government only has 47 percent popular support.

“I would like to welcome the Australian delegation who are here today to observe the debate on the GST, which is introduced by the BN government which had only 47 percent of votes,” Azmin said, to an outcry.

This prompted Jamaluddin Jarjis (BN-Rompin - right ) to jump to his feet to salvage the situation.

Thanking Australia for assistance in the search for MH370, Jamaluddin also made sure to mention that he, too, was in Perth recently when Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak visited to convey his thanks.

“Don’t get involved in petty politics,” Jamaluddin said, sparking even louder squabbles from both sides.

Both Azmin and Jamaluddin continued in English to win over the Australians, to the annoyance of deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee.

“There is no need to speak in the white man’s language ( bahasa orang putih ),” Ronald said.

To this, Azmin retorted, in English: “Are you telling me not to speak in English? Then I will speak in Bahasa Malaysia.”

Although he continued his debate in Bahasa Malaysia, Azmin reverted to English for little snippets, like alluding to some businessman or other who were allegedly BN or Umno cronies.

This further riled the BN backbenchers, especially Noh Omar (BN-Tanjong Karang), who also chose to interject.

As he was being shouted down, Azmin turned to the Australians sitting in the public gallery and said, “They are scared!”

However, the shouting from both sides of the House was so loud that nothing was audible to the media who were following this through a live telecast.

In the midst of it all, two individuals, presumably part of the Australian delegation, nipped out of the Dewan Rakyat, leaving the Malaysian MPs to slug it out for several minutes more.