KUALA LUMPUR: An argument broke at the Parliament lobby between Umno members of parliament (MPs) Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman and Datuk Seri Dr Ismail Mohamed Said.
The commotion was heard at about 1pm, when a group of reporters were interviewing MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong at the lobby.
It began with Tajuddin, who is Pasir Salak MP, and Ismail, who is Kuala Krau MP, shouting words such as “stupid” and “bangang” (imbecile) at each other.
They were leaving the Dewan Rakyat hall when they taunted each other. They were heard saying “kalau berani datanglah sini” (if you dare, come over here) to each other, seemingly ready to engage in a brawl before security personnel, as well as other MPs, separated them.
The shouting match continued until the bridge leading to the Parliament tower, where Umno secretary-general Tan Sri Annuar Musa, who had just come out of the Dewan Rakyat hall, diffused the situation.
Annuar took Ismail to meet Tajuddin at the Parliament tower to talk things over.
Before leaving, Ismail explained to reporters that he was dissatisfied over a photo of his friends visiting his sick daughter, which he claimed was made viral by Tajuddin.
“It was a photo of my friends meeting my daughter, and it became an issue that I made a pact to support another leader. It is not true,” he said.
Minutes later, Tajuddin was seen entering the Parliament lobby and he said: “It was just a misunderstanding between friends. We have settled it.”
Asked to clarify more about the source of their spat, Tajuddin simply said it was a “marriage issue”, referring to the fact that it was an issue between leaders from the same party.
“This is a marriage issue, no need to tell others.
“Let it be,” he cheekily told the reporters.