PAHANG DUN | Pahang Menteri Besar Adnan Yaakob today challenged Mentakab lawmaker Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji to a fist fight after a heated exchange in the Pahang legislative assembly today.

The row erupted after Tengku Zulpuri, who is also the de facto opposition leader, had told the assembly that the state government should allocate more funds to resolve Mentakab's flood woes. 

This sparked a shouting match between Adnan and Tengku Zulpuri as they argued over when the recent floods in Penang was an act of God.

Tengku Zulpuri said likening floods with divine retribution to "beer festivals" was invalid because floods happened elsewhere as well, including Jeddah, Saudi Arabia recently.

At one point, an irate Adnan said "Tuan yang di-pertua. Keluar dewan saja (Mr Speaker. Let's leave the chambers)", alluding that he and Tengku Zulpuri should take matters outside.

On several occasions, Adnan could also be heard saying: "Islam ke khafir? (Are you a Muslim or an infidel?)".

According to a report by China Press, Adnan had at one point said he was willing to create history by brawling in the legislative assembly.

Eventually, state speaker Ishak Muhammad managed to calm both individuals and accepted Adnan's proposal for an adjournment, although Tengku Zulpuri had not completed his speech. 

Several witnesses said Adnan had asked Tengku Zulpuri to approach the government bench following the adjournment and threatened to tumbuk (punch) the opposition lawmaker.

In response, Tengku Zulpuri said he was willing to be punched and will not retaliate, according to witnesses.

Both BN and Harapan lawmakers managed to keep the duo from approaching the speaker's bench. 

Attempts to reach Adnan and Tengku Zulpuri for comments have been unsuccessful. 

The video below, which was posted on the Facebook page belonging to Tengku Zulpuri's wife, depicts the exchange between the duo during the sitting, but not the exchange which happened after the adjournment.