Opposition members of Parliament today raged at Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Dr Rais Yatim for allegedly making a lewd remark.

The de facto law minister had said, "Kalau tak naik makanlah makjun (if you can't get it up, take an aphrodisiac)."

He uttered these words when winding up the debate on the motion to suspend DAP MP Fong Po Kuan without pay for six months for allegedly accusing House speaker Mohamed Zahir Ismail of "abusing his powers" and "preventing Parliament from carrying out its duties".

Replying to points raised by Kerk Kim Hock (DAP- Kota Melaka) during the motion, Rais said, "If you think I have made a mistake in the House, move a motion."

In reply, Kerk said: " Macam mana nak buat... tak naik? (how can I when it is never raised?)"

That was when Rais uttered the lewd remark in Parliament.

A furore ensued instantly and deputy speaker Muhammad Abdullah had a hard time trying to control opposing members bent on a shouting match with each other.

Kerk repeatedly asked Muhammad to rule and asked Rais to withdraw the remark.

However, Muhammad claimed he did not hear what Rais had said.

Remark made in jest

Rais, when asked to repeat his statement, said he did not mean to be rude or vulgar and had made the remark in jest.

But his clarification intensified the commotion, and Barisan Nasional members proceeded to take a swipe at the opposition with makjun -centred jokes.

Mahfuz Omar (PAS - Pokok Sena) shouted at Rais while pointing his finger at his head in a circular motion, hinting that there was something mentally wrong with Rais.

Finally, Muhammad brought the babel to an end when he reminded members that Rais had uttered the remark in jest.

"Things were tense so when I replied, I said kalau tak naik makan makjun . I was referring to a motion, which must be strong in order for it to be raised," Rais explained.