'Are you makan gaji buta ? Are you?' This was what newly-minted Deputy Internal Security Minister Johari Baharum was greeted with after repeatedly failing to provide satisfactory answers in his first ministerial winding-up at the Dewan Rakyat this evening.

Shouting matches dominated his 50-minute-long winding-up after he was intensely grilled by the opposition on issues relating to media freedom and the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

When the first-time deputy minister was asked whether the police force's rejection of IPCMC was deemed as an act of insubordination, Johari answered: " Tak apa-lah (never mind), there are many views ... in this House, the government will study."

Johari, who was promoted from his parliamentary secretary position at the Prime Minister's Department in last month's mini-cabinet reshuffle, also confused himself with the identities of several rape victims during the questioning.

The temperature in the House raised noticeably after Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) pressed Johari for an answer, especially on the investigation over a nine-year-old Malay Malaysian girl who was raped and killed last year.

As the backbenchers repeatedly asked the opposition to stop questioning the deputy minister, an irked opposition leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) taunted: "She is a Malay girl, why are you all (Umno backbenchers) keeping quiet? We in DAP are defending a Malay girl!"

This immediately riled up many of the Umno backbenchers and the House turned unruly with Ahmad Zainuddin Omar (BN-Larut) retorted: "Watch it. Who are you to say we don't care. We have been fighting for the Malay community and we'll continue to do so."

An outraged Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) interjected: "This is a ministry under prime minister (Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also internal security minister). He (Johari) must at least live up to the requirements by not refusing to allow clarification and by providing an answer."

Continuing his winding-up and touching on several alleged cases of police abuse of power brought up by Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh), Johari said: "These are not cases of public interest, but I am 'forced' by the Seputeh MP (to answer). Actually they are just small cases."

When Kok sought clarification on the implementation of the new body searches rule, Johari kept mum and sought to move on to another topic. This annoyed Fong.

"If you don't know the answer, you can go back home. You are earning a salary... are you makan gaji buta (getting paid without having to work)? Are you?" Fong, who has earned the nickname of 'cili padi' for her fiery oratory skill, yelled from across the floor.

Her colleagues joined in the fray in lambasting the deputy minister.

'This is like gajah'

As Johari wound up his reply after being reminded by the chair that there was insufficient time, the Batu Gajah MP protested that her question on the controversial tudung (headscarf) ruling imposed on all policewomen at official parades recently was not answered.

The House, yet again, descended into another shouting match and Johari left the House at this juncture.

Fong: What is the meaning of debating the royal address when there is no answer given?

Chong: The deputy minister did not discharge his duty!

Fong: We gave time to the Umno backbenchers to criticise the MCA minister at the transport ministerial winding-up just now, but now there is no time for the deputy minister to answer?

Ahmad Zainuddin: The deputy minister will give a written reply...

Fong: Is this the quality of our minister after the cabinet reshuffle? The quality of a deputy minister?

Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai): This is like gajah (elephant)... (referring to Fong)

Fong: (pointing at the backbenchers) Kamu semua sekongkol untuk mengagalkan kemajuan negara ini! (You've conspired in failing the nation's development)

The parliamentary opposition leader told reporters later that Johari's performance was the "worst in the Parliament's history" and that the latter should has done more homework before turning up at the winding-up session today.