PARLIAMENT | The debacle over former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s alleged Indian heritage made its way into the Dewan Rakyat today, with a number of BN Muslim lawmakers with Indian heritage openly joking about their own parentage.

This happened during a question-and-answer session today, when Deputy Foreign Minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican was discussing the impact of an aid shipment in February to assist Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. 

Some 200 Umno and PAS politicians and leaders had joined the trip on February 3. 

Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling) asked how the government could step up its efforts to help the Rohingya, a marginalised community currently facing systematic discrimination and violence from Myanmar security forces.

He urged members of the opposition, whether they were "Kutty or non-Kutty", to join humanitarian missions to assist the oppressed community.

"We have to walk the talk. Follow us. Follow the example of how PAS send 100 leaders. I want to ask Pakatan Harapan, whether you are a Kutty or a non-Kutty, to come with us to help," he said. 

Reezal, who is Umno's Kepala Batas MP, jokingly called Abdul Azeez a "mamak" in his reply: “This question is so long; this is how a mamak asks questions.”

Mahfuz Omar (PAS-Pokok Sena) then stood up and laughed," The one who is answering is also the same (a mamak)."

"The one who is answering is from a higher caste," Reezal answered, drawing laughter from the August House.

Last Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had shown an alleged copy of Mahathir’s identity card to the audience at an Umno meeting, which bore the name “Mahathir a/l Iskandar Kutty”.

Kutty is a name predominantly used by Malabari Malayalee families. 

Zahid, who is also home minister, said that he had received a copy of the so-called identity card from the director-general of the National Registration Department.

However, he was accused of revealing Mahathir’s personal data for political purposes, resulting in police reports being lodged against him.