Najib weighs into attempted attack on Shah Alam MP

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak has weighed into the attempted attack on Shah Alam MP Khalid Abdul Samad on Parliament grounds this morning.

In a Twitter message, Najib said he took the matter seriously.

"I view with seriousness the incident at Parliament today and any elements of violence against MPs.

"We must respect the institution of Parliament. The incident is being investigated and I am confident that the police will complete the investigation as soon as possible," he said.

This morning, supporters of Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman, including his son Firdaus Tajuddin, attempted to attack Khalid outside the Dewan Rakyat lobby, on Parliament grounds.

KL police chief Amar Singh had described the incident as a "riot" and ordered 10 individuals, including Firdaus, to surrender.

Tajuddin, who confirmed his son was amongst the group, said they were not defending him but were defending the people of Pasir Salak.

It is not clear how the group managed to enter Parliament's grounds, which is strictly guarded.

Visitors are only allowed in with prior request or on invitation of an MP.

The incident came amid a row between Tajuddin and Khalid.

On Monday, Tajuddin said Seputeh MP Teresa Kok was the "only woman with a 'Kok' in Seputeh" during the budget debate in the Dewan Rakyat.

His innuendo sparked outrage among opposition MPs, with Khalid calling Tajuddin "sial" (damned).

Tajuddin refused to apologise for his "Kok" comment and instead railed against Khalid for calling him "sial".

Yesterday, Tajuddin sent a letter of demand to Khalid for defending the "sial" comment outside the House.

This was followed with the attempted attack on Khalid today.

Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan said visitors could only enter Parliament if they were sponsored by an MP and called for action to be taken against the MP responsible.

"If these people were actually invited by a MP into this area to cause bodily harm, distress, then the MP should also be brought to the rights and privileges committee," Nur Jazlan told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby today.- Mkini