Baling MP ordered to retract ‘balik tongsan’ remark

© TMI Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez

Umno’s Baling MP Datuk Seri Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim was ordered to retract a controversial “balik tongsan” remark he made in the Dewan Rakyat today by speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Azeez made the remark, literally asking a person of Chinese ethnicity to return to his home country, at Jimmy Wong (DAP-Kota Kinabalu) while speaking during the Home Ministry's wrap up of the Budget 2016 today.

His remark caused outrage among the opposition lawmakers.

Pandikar initially did not ask for a retraction, claiming he, as a Sabahan, did not understand what the remark meant, but relented after a request from Anthony Loke (DAP-Seremban).

“I order a retraction unconditionally, but this means the next time anyone uses un-parliamentary language, I will eject the person from the house.”

Azeez also admitted to using the word “pondan” (transsexual) in the House yesterday, though he claimed it was not directed at anyone in particular.

Opposition lawmakers had claimed that Azeez had directed the remark at Kasthuri Patto (DAP-Batu Kawan).

But Pandikar said that the “pondan” remark need not be retracted as he was not the speaker in the House when it was made.

“Since I didn't hear it, I will not ask for a retraction. But keep in mind, pondan is an unparliamentary word,” he said.

The spat today broke out when Wong tried to interrupt Azeez while he was directing a question at Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

“Sit down, apek!” Azeez said, before adding the “balik tongsan” remark.