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Comment by BARADAN KUPPUSAMY (The Star) PASIR SALAK in Perak is honoured in our history as the site of a 1875 Malay rebellion against British colonial rule that was later brutally put down. The rebels were killed and survivors exiled to such far off places as Seychelles.  In the news: Tajudin courts controversy at Parliament sittings. Numerous memorials, mausoleums and artifacts have been erected in Pasir Salak to remember their brave deeds. It is an important site in the heritage itinerary and an exalted place but the current Pasir Salak MP Datuk Tajudin Abdul Rahman is apparently not doing justice to this significant constituency with his abandoned behaviour in Parliament. He courts controversy at Parliament sittings with his crude language, ill-concealed hostile manners and constant baiting of opposition MPs and with his lewd and gender-insensitive remarks. Tajudin uses words like kurang ajar, ke**** and even “bloody bas****” without any qualms, sparking furious exchanges in the House. He might enjoy the publicity and notoriety but his antics are seriously tarnishing Barisan’s already battered image as an arrogant and insensitive coalition. On Wednesday, Tajudin reportedly made overtly lewd remarks when Serdang MP Teo Nie Ching was debating on the failure by the Barisan to fulfil promises made to develop vernacular schools. Earlier, Tajudin described Ipoh Barat MP M. Kulasegaran as a “bloody bas****” and challenged him to settle scores outside Parliament. Last month, he unprecedentedly challenged Deputy Speaker Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar to take action against him and got away with it without even a rap on his knuckles. For some unknown reason, Tajudin is apparently picking on Kulasegaran and they often clashed, always drawing other MPs – from both sides – into the fray, sparking mayhem in the House. “I really don’t understand why he is picking on me but I am not frightened or rattled,” said Kulasegaran. “I speak for all Malaysians when I speak in Parliament, he probably speaks to a small group of like-minded people.” (One MP speculated that a probable reason is constant eye contact because when Tajudin stands to debate the first person he sees in Dewan is Kulasegaran and vice-versa.) PKR’s Azmin Ali, who was labelled “dumb” by Tajudin on Wednesday said: “This is too much. If it is only once or twice it is forgivable, but every time he opens his mouth, he shows no respect for anyone.” Tajudin’s antics have also upset many Barisan parliamentarians who are also surprised he gets away without rebuke or sanction. “We are forced by Barisan’s ‘one for all, all for one’ rule to either defend him or keep silent,” said a Barisan MP from Sarawak. “The standing of the Barisan, the Government and Parliament is tarnished. “People have ridiculed me and labelled Parliament a circus because of the fracas,” said the non-Muslim MP. “Barisan is paying a heavy price because of the boorish behaviour of a few MPs.” “We need to reform but some MPs are frozen in time and are becoming a liability to the rest of us,” said another Barisan parliamentarian, adding that some MPs want to take the matter up with Barisan whip Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. “Although such MPs are few, they dominate Parliament and their antics dominate the media,” he said. “They gain in notoriety but the Barisan suffers.” Because he is not punished, Tajudin has gained a reputation as an “untouchable” unlike Gelugor MP Karpal Singh who is often suspended for staying the course on issues dear to his heart. While the ruckus involving Karpal Singh tells the people how hard the Opposition is working, the antics of Tajudin and his like is showing the reverse – that even after the landmark March 8 vote, it is business as usual for the Barisan.
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