A shouting match erupted in the Dewan Rakyat today when Deputy Education Minister Noh Omar was answering questions raised by the opposition.

The drama unfolded when he responded to a point raised by Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) during his winding-up on the debates regarding Budget 2007.

The DAP MP claimed the ministry had a 'stupid policy' not to build any new Chinese and Tamil primary schools.

Noh denied Chong's claim and argued that under the Education Act, Chinese and Tamil primary schools fell under the partially-subsidised category.

However, before he could continue, Opposition Leader Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) interjected and asked why the ministry could not treat vernacular and national schools equally.

"You have to understand the history - you don't understand the history of Chinese schools at all," retorted the deputy minister.

"That is historic injustice! Are you bold enough to correct this historic injustice? Can MCA and Gerakan agree to this injustice?" responded Lim.

Tempers began to flare when Noh raised his tone and replied: "How can you deny history? You can't change facts."

He lashed out at DAP MPs for raising issues pertaining to Chinese schools, saying it was not just Chinese schools that have too many students.

Earlier today, Lim had questioned Education Minister Hishammuddin Hussein's justification that there was no need to build new Chinese schools since there are 513 under-enrolled Chinese schools nationwide.

Lim quoted a statement from the MCA education bureau that many Chinese schools are facing problems because they have too many students.

"Don't try to champion the case of one or two Chinese schools only," warned Noh in response to this.

Symbol of unity

The deputy minister then raised the opposition's complaint yesterday against Hishammuddin for raising the keris (traditional Malay dagger) at the recent Umno meet.

"The keris is not just a Malay symbol, it is also an Umno symbol," said Noh.

When the DAP MPs tried to object, he pointed at them and shouted: "Sit down! Sit down! Sit down! This is my floor!"

Chong repeatedly told him not to 'mengamok' (become hysterical).

Paying no heed to this, Noh continued. "The keris issue was settled, why did DAP raise it again?"

"The keris is the symbol of Malay strength, the keris unites the people, the rocket (DAP symbol) is the one that is destructive. They (DAP) talk so much about the keris, but they are culture blind and they don't understand the history of the keris.

"We should close the chapter on talking about the keris. The keris is Umno's symbol. Is it wrong for the young people in Umno to carry aN Umno symbol?" he reiterated.

The infuriated deputy minister then recited a poem to illustrate the importance of the keris to the Malays and ended his speech abruptly.

The dissatisfied DAP MPs continued to voice their protest despite the microphones being switched off.

Apart from failing to explain the ministry's rationale not to build new vernacular schools, Noh also did not answer questions on the reopening of the Damansara Chinese school and the government's policy to teach Science and Maths in English.