PARLIAMENT | Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad appeared to take a sarcastic swipe at PAS when asked to confirm news reports that police have been instructed to use English instead of Bahasa Malaysia for their daily briefings and operations.

Though Mahathir did not mention PAS, the premier's remarks regarding the use of the Arabic language was an obvious reference to the Islamist party.

“Sometimes we use the Arabic language so that those who listen do not understand and the interpretation might not be accurate.

“So it is vital that when we communicate with people in whatever language, the person understands what we are trying to say... Sometimes, we have to use the Arabic language for those who are fluent in the language,” he told the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

Mahathir was responding to a question from Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PAS-Kubang Kerian) during Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.

Following Mahathir's answer, Tuan Ibrahim appeared dissatisfied, stating that Mahathir did not answer the question.

"This is about the police, not daily relations. It's about police having to use English in daily operations - I ask that the minister answers the question," he said.

However, Mahathir had taken his seat and Dewan Rakyat speaker Mohd Ariff Md Yusoff asked the next MP to present his question to the government.