KUALA LUMPUR: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has reminded members of parliament (MPs) regarding the significance of historical cognisance when making claims.
Advising MPs to avoid baseless accusations and only speak with facts, he said: "I agree that there should be no historical blindness, especially for those who mention it.
"Even if we have legal immunity in this Noble House, we must speak based on facts, not accusations against someone, especially any political party in this country," Zahid said during the concluding speech for his ministry's debate session at the parliament.
Zahid made the remark in response to Jelutong MP RSN Rayer, who sought his opinion on a Pas MP.
It is believed that Rayer is referring to Kepala Batas MP Siti Mastura Mohamad, who claimed Lim Guan Eng's family is related to former Malayan Communist Party leader Chin Peng, as well as former Singapore Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Rayer began by expressing gratitude to the minister and the Rural and Regional Development Ministry for their unwavering commitment to enhancing infrastructure in rural regions, with the intention of fostering intellectual prowess, historical acumen, and knowledge among the youth.
The conversation soon accelerated with Rayer raising the controversial claims made by the Pas MP.
"We were recently shocked that someone who holds a doctoral degree had made statements linking the DAP party and its leaders to communism.
"I was surprised to find out that she is an ustazah with a doctorate from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM)," he said.
Perikatan Nasional Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim soon questioned, "The statement was issued outside of the House, in Kemaman. So, why bring it into the House?"
The deputy prime minister then dismissed Shahidan by saying the issue would only be discussed after he finished concluding the debate for his ministry.
"We will debate that later; I will buy the meal for Arau MP and others later," he said.
Earlier, DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng demanded that Siti Mastura prove the alleged familial relations between him, Chin Peng and Lee Kuan Yew.
Through a video speech shared on social media, the deputy head of Penang Pas Muslimat Council had also linked Lim and his wife, Betty Chew Gek Cheng, to other DAP leaders, namely Anthony Loke, Teresa Kok, Nga Kor Ming, and Ngeh Koo Ham.
"Measures would be taken to demand an explanation from her, urging her to provide evidence of any family connections between us, Chin Peng, Kuan Yew, and among ourselves. Should she fail to do so, we will take appropriate action," Lim said at a press conference on Tuesday.
Siti Mastura has yet to comment on the issue, even after the Thursday deadline set by Lim.
Several DAP leaders have also filed police reports against Siti Mastura earlier today.