The firearms training for national service cadets raised temperatures in the Dewan Rakyat today with parliamentarians trading salvos over the issue.

In his ministerial winding-up, Deputy Premier and Defence Minister Najib Abdul Razak said the training was conducted on an experimental basis in six out of the 76 camps two months ago.

This led Fong Po Kuan (DAP-Batu Gajah) to question why the parliamentary select committee, tasked to study national service, was kept in the dark.

"This is just a trial programme. In universities and schools, cadets also learn how to use firearms. If Singaporeans can go for a two-year military-based national service training, why should you be so worried?" asked the deputy premier.

Responding, Fong said the government had stressed that the national service training module will be a Malaysian one, and not emulate Singapore's.

"There was no information available, why it (firearms training) was introduced quietly? Initially the government said it wouldn't be military training, but now it was done quietly," she added

Be respectful

At this juncture, Fong (left) was interrupted by Ahmad Zainuddin Omar (BN-Larut), who cited standing order 36 and asked her to be respectful to the deputy premier.

"Don't be prejudiced, show your respect, the deputy premier came here to answer questions... don't insult... this woman does not need to behave like this, try to be respectful," he thundered.

Fong then called on Ahmad Zainuddin not to invoke the standing order for the wrong reasons.

At this point, Najib asked the opposition politician to calm down, but a backbencher had the House in stitches, when he yelled: "She (Fong) is not married yet".

This riled up Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor), who shouted: "Don't be an MCP, male chauvinistic pig".

Criminal cases

Meanwhile, Najib reiterated that the firearms training was conducted on an experimental basis and improvements will be made if it is found to be suitable.

"In Singapore, they have the two-year firearms training and they don't make any noise. Are our youths any weaker?" he asked.

This prompted Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) to join in. She said there was no in introducing firearms training but the government should have made this clear from the start.

On the same note, she expressed concern that it will give rise to more criminal cases.

"If we change to the Singapore model now, would you support? I will take note that you supported it as well," Najib retorted.

Salahuddin Ayub (BN-Kubang Kerian) asked whether the government could defer the firearms training until the select committee completed its public hearing.

The deputy premier said the committee will have the opportunity to give their views if the training is fully implemented.