Communication and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak has urged the opposition to practice what it preaches after DAP lawmaker Lim Lip Eng hurled abusive language in Parliament.

He pointed out that when BN MPs crossed the line in terms of language, the opposition would be up in arms, giving lectures on the importance of proper conduct and decorum.

“I believe that the same rule should also apply to members of the opposition as well.

“If we are to take political debates to the next level, then those who emphasise on the importance of civil exchanges, should be mature enough to follow their own prescription,” he told Malaysiakini.

As elected representatives of the people, Salleh said those from the opposition and BN must refrain from such behaviour.

This afternoon, Lim unleased a diatribe in the Dewan Rakyat when Umno information chief and BN MP Annuar Musa made cynical remarks about DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

Annuar had congratulated Kit Siang over his protracted political career, which he said surpassed the tenures of Philippines' Ferdinand Marcos and Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe.

Lim shouted, "Pengecut! (coward) Ayam! (Chicken) Chicken s***!" when Annuar refused to let Kit Siang interject.

In the ensuing chaos, Lip Eng at one point shouted "separuh jantan" (half a man) and "eh pondan diam la!" (shut up queer).

The Parliament TV screen did not show who Lip Eng was hurling abuses at, but then showed Annuar still standing and shouting back at opposition lawmakers.