All hell broke loose in the Dewan Rakyat today when Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang became embroiled in a shouting match with two Barisan Nasional (BN) component party leaders.

Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department M Kayveas and Works Minister S Samy Vellu formed an unlikely alliance over the Islam Hadhari issue.

Islam Hadhari as a development framework for the nation in the 9th Malaysia Plan (9MP) had ruffled Lim's feathers.

He said when Islam Hadhari was elevated to a state directive principle for all Malaysians regardless of religion, an important principle of democratic governance was involved.

Terming this as against the spirit of the constitution and social contract, he asked the non-Muslim ministers if they had agreed to this.

'You're a coward'

This irked Kayveas, who is also the People's Progressive Party (PPP) president. He told Lim to re-study the 9MP.

Lim, in turn, accused the deputy minister of being a 'coward' and lacking principles. He challenged Kayveas to say 'yes' or 'no' to Islam Hadhari.

A peeved Kayveas retorted that DAP was useless (tak boleh pakai). "... 100 percent of Malaysians do not agree with the party. It's better you give the opportunity to (opposition parties) PAS and Parti Keadilan Rakyat," he said.

He asked Lim what was wrong for Islam Hadhari to be included in the 9MP.

Kayveas added that in the PPP general assembly three years ago, he had suggested that all those born after independence be granted the bumiputera status.

"So what's the stand of the opposition in this matter? You are coward and scared to be put (in jail) under the ISA (the Internal Security Act)," he thundered.

At this juncture, Lim called Kayveas a 'clown' and the latter shot back, "Ipoh Timor (Lim) is the biggest clown. He's a coward. Answer my question, do you agree or not?"

Lim, with a snigger, said he had raised this issue 30 years ago. "Were you sleeping (kamu tidurkah)?" he added.

"Don't get insane (tak siuman). During the 1970s I had talked about it....What do you mean I am not brave? I was jailed under the ISA twice. Are you brave enough to be placed under the ISA?" he asked.

Enter Samy

At this point, Samy, who is also MIC president, lost his cool and joined the fray.

He took Lim to task for questioning non-Muslim cabinet members on whether they had supported Islam Hadhari.

He said all BN component parties had agreed that any issue related to race must be discussed in the BN spirit.

"The BN principle is that if we discuss something about race we agree it will not be made known to the public.

"We fight and shout within the coalition then we wait for a decision from the premier. We don't want to talk here (in Dewan Rakyat) to get publicity.

"In cabinet, we fight more than you (Lim) do. But we don't jeopardise the harmony of this country like you," stressed the works minister.

Lim responded by saying that the Islam Hadhari directive in the 9MP should not be treated as an official secret.

Deputy Speaker Lim Si Cheng frantically tried to restore order, but his pleas were ignored as parliamentarians from both sides continued the mud slinging.

Lim finally continued his speech on other topics, bringing an end to the arguments.