The Information Ministry was today criticised in Parliament for a TV3 advertisement which was alleged to be an insult to Islam and the Malay race.

During debate time, Mohamad Haji Aziz (BN - Sri Gading) complained that the Information Ministry did not heed issues raised several times in the House and in the media regarding inappropriate advertisements on TV.

"Maybe TV3 cannot be blamed for this but the Information Ministry must be taken to task for not vetting the advertisements properly," he said.

Mohamad was referring to a Bank Bumiputera-Commerce advertisement which depicts a Malay bridegroom who forgot his "mas kahwin" (matrimonial payment) and had to leave the wedding ceremony in haste.

Mohamad said the scene was inappropriate and what was most disparaging was the fact that the insult on Islam and the Malay race was done by Malays themselves.

Checklist

He explained that it was impossible for the situation depicted in the advertisement to happen as before a Muslim gets married, a checklist would be followed closely by several people including his parents and grandparents.

He called on the bank to withdraw the advertisement.

At this point, Kamaruddin Jaafar (PAS-Tumpat) stood up and expressed support for Mohammed. He said that a marriage ceremony was religious and should not be insulted.

He said that advertisements insulting any religion should be disallowed and requested the Information Minister to respond.

Before continuing with his speech, Mohamed had the House in laughter when he told Kamaruddin in jest: "Thank you for agreeing with me on this issue. I thought you wanted to marry again."