Action must be taken against parliamentarians who are rude, insensitive and crude, said rights group Aliran in a statement today.

"At a time when the country is calling for religious tolerance and acceptance such remarks undermine the government's effort in promoting national unity and therefore should not go unpunished," it added.

Aliran was responding to the controversy sparked off by Jerai MP Badruddin Amiruldin for using the term 'keling' when debating in the Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday.

The Umno politician had also raised the issue of fasting, saying he did not want to argue with 'people who are not fasting' when replying to Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang on another issue.

Aliran said Badruddin must remember that even the Malaysian Indian Muslim Congress, whose members include those from Kedah (the state in which the MP's constituency is located), had objected to the inclusion of the word in the Dewan Kamus.

On his comments about the fasting month, the organisation described it as 'divisive and discriminatory'.

"What is he implying about people who do not fast? Are they unworthy? Does it mean that he will have no dialogue with his constituents who are not Muslims and who do not fast when he does?" it asked.

Media coverage

Aliran said there are several ways of reining in such behaviour and preserving the Parliament's dignity.

"He (the Speaker) should not brook any nonsense either from the Barisan Nasional or the opposition and should promptly haul up or suspend offending MPs, if necessary refer them to the Privileges Committee."

"The Backbenchers Club has a responsibility to call for a caucus among their ranks to educate their fellow MPs on what is acceptable behaviour and on how to improve the quality of debate," it

Meanwhile, Aliran also took a swipe at the media over its coverage on parliamentary debates, noting a lack of comprehensive reporting on crucial issues.

It also observed that opposition debates were seldom highlighted.

"When the media takes a more critical and analytical approach to reporting on Parliament, they will spur MPs to a higher standard of debate.

"The present standard is simply unacceptable," it added.

Yesterday, DAP Labour Bureau chief A Sivanesan lodged a police report against Badruddin