Embattled backbencher Mohd Said Yusof (BN-Jasin) continued to steal the limelight in Parliament today when he took on Parliament Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) several times in his debate.

Lim had yesterday blasted the defiant Said after the latter's confession that he had asked the Malacca Customs and Excise Department to 'close one eye' and release a consignment of seized illegal sawn timber.

Said first said he had made the request on the behalf of one of his constituents but later admitted he had made it on behalf of his own company.

Lim has made repeated attempts to refer the Jasin MP to the Privileges Committee for probe, but has failed.

Debating on the National Culture and Heritage Academy Bill 2006 this morning, Said used the chance to take a swipe at the opposition, claiming that the opposition in Malacca has lost its influence because the people preferred to bring their complaints to him.

He then moved on and said the proposed academy should nurture and use more local performers.

"If we want actors for good characters, I can offer myself or Kinabatangan (BN MP, Bung Moktar Radin); if we want bad characters, Ipoh Timor (Lim) or Ipoh Barat (DAP MP, M Kula Segaran) can act," he said as Lim stepped into the House.

Lim immediately retorted: "Why does he say the other person is a crook? He himself is a crook!" He said the Jasin MP had remained defiant despite admitting openly in newspaper reports that he had asked customs officials to 'close one eye'.

"Don't believe the newspapers too much," the Umno politician said. Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) rebutted: "That is Umno's paper".

'Hard and soft'

Moving on with his debate, Said claimed many local performers and dancers were 'soft' and said the proposed academy should address the issue.

Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) stood up to object and said: "No matter if the performers are hard or soft, fat or slim, pretty or ugly, they deserve basic respect."

In an apparent sexual innuendo, Said asked Chong in his reply: "I understand what you mean, but you like hard or soft?"

The comment sparked off another round of pandemonium with shouting from both BN and opposition MPs. Lim invoked the standing order and said the remark is sexist and offensive but no action was taken.

In his debate later, Lim said Said had no moral authority to be in Parliament as he had 'brought shame to the House'.

"We all have two eyes. Some use both eyes, others use one eye like the Cyclops and some use no eye. Perhaps the ministry can introduce a course to teach MPs about integrity," said Lim in apparent reference to the Jasin MP over his 'close one eye' request.

Today is the last day of the current parliamentary sittings. Parliament will reconvene on June 26.