BARISAN Nasional lawmaker Bung Moktar Radin was singled out in a ruling by Parliament speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof for uttering the F-word twice on Tuesday.

The Kinabatangan MP was given a final warning and threatened with the harshest of punishments should he repeat such an offence, Ariff said at the end of today’s question time.

“I also give this warning to both sides (of the political aisle),” he said, adding that punishment would include suspension of the offender for a determined period.

Bung, who participated during question time this morning, was not present when Ariff spoke. He had left the chamber just before the speaker entered before noon.

Pandemonium broke out in Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday after Bung directed the four-letter expletive at Willie Mongin (PH-Puncak Borneo) after the latter had interjected during the debate on the Sales Tax Bill 2018 and Service Tax Bill 2018.

“What is this? This is rude, retract this. You shouldn’t be here, samseng (thug), what do you want? You want to fight with me?

“F*** you. You messed with the wrong people,” Bung shouted at Mongin in the chamber.

He later retracted his remark.

During his speech today, Ariff warned other lawmakers not to contravene Standing Order 36(4), which forbids lawmakers from using offensive language or making sexist remarks.

“I view this matter seriously because it affects the prestige and good name of this august house. Such words disrespect and stain this august house.

“I would like to remind honourable representatives here that the use of obscene or rude words are not allowed… the harshest of actions will be taken against those who contravene this ruling,” he said.

Under Standing Order 44, the speaker is allowed to immediately eject a lawmaker from the chamber and suspend him.

Additionally, the lawmaker can be ordered to withdraw from the sitting and be barred from participating in it until the expiration of the suspension period, even if it extends to the following sitting. –August 9, 2018.