Strong words were exchanged in the House today over the alleged assault of two photographers up in Permatang Pauh. Things imploded when deputy home minister Chor Chee Heung intimated that PKR members were involved in the incident on nomination day.

"The police are investigating the matter but it would seem that the complaints (involving PKR members) were correct," said Chor

Opposition MPs - PKR in particular - were not particularly impressed by the revelation. Leading the objections was Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak).

"You should retract your statement. You should not be prejudice and throwing accusations at us, you should let the police complete their investigation first," said a riled-up Azmin.

A series of accusations and denials ensued from numerous members of the Dewan Rakyat.

Among the many Barisan Nasional MPs getting involved was Puad Zarkashi (BN-Batu Pahat) who said: "But it is true, they (PKR members) did it."

Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee - who was presiding the session - was struggling to keep order with more from both sides joining the fray, when Chor requested permission to further explain his remarks.

However he was refused by Ronald because he felt that "was the deputy minister's reply."

Chor was initially responding to Tiong King Sing (BN-Bintulu)'s supplementary question on the lack of action to the said assault - which is when the deputy minister jumped the gun and associated the attack with PKR.

Minister irresponsible

Later at the question and answer session, Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR-Ampang) chided the deputy minister for being not responsible.

"Before I ask my question for this session, I would like to say that the deputy minister had made an irresponsible statement and he does not deserve to be sitting (in the House).

"We will take action if it involves our members," added Zuraida.

On Aug 16, a New Straits Times (NST) photographer and a French photo-journalist were attacked by a group of people.

The 26-year-old NST photographer Mohamad Sairien Mohamad Nafiz, suffered bodily injuries and lost his RM15,000 Canon digital camera, according to his newspaper's report today.

The French journalist meanwhile was said to have sustained head and leg injuries.

There will be action

Met at the Parliament lobby later, Azmin was still fuming after his altercation with Chor and said the deputy minister should not have "jumped the gun."

"He told us himself that the investigation is underway, how could he say that the assault was from the PKR members? I'm disappointed that he did not retract his statement," Azmin shared with reporters.

He however assured that if indeed party members were involved there would be repercussions.

"We will definitely take a stern action against them."

PKR leader Anwar Ibrahim - busy up north in his by-election campaigning - has also concurred stating that the party is launching an internal probe into the incident.