Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Dr Rais Yatim today took a swipe at Parliamentarians with poor command of the Malay language and those who use harsh words in the August House.

He said these MPs could not speak proper Bahasa Malaysia despite being elected to represent the people in Parliament.

According to Bernama , the minister said this should not happen as the country achieved its independence 50 years ago and Bahasa Malaysia is used to unite the various races in the country.

Rais said apart from failing to grasp Bahasa Malaysia, there were also parliamentarians who used harsh and impolite words in the August House.

"They the (MPs) who should be examples, end up doing something that is not beneficial instead because of their failure to master Bahasa Malaysia," he added.

Giving them chilies

Asked if this issue was ever raised in Parliament, Rais responded with a Malay proverb: " Kalau (siapa) makan cili terasa pedasnya ." (The person who eats chilies will feel the heat)

" Masalahnya tak ada sesiapa beri cili kepada mereka ." (The problem is that nobody has given them (these MPs) any chilies).

Meanwhile, Rais said his ministry is promoting Bahasa Malaysia through various programmes, including debates and forums.

The Malaysian Parliament is no stranger to harsh language, insults and sexual innuendos coming from both ruling and opposition members during proceedings.

Most recently, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz rained abuses on Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang by calling him "stupid" several times.

In an earlier incident , two Barisan Nasional MPs caused a furore when they uttered menstruation jokes against Batu Gajah MP Fong Poh Kuan.