I find our Works Minister S Samy Vellu's comparison of "toilets and brides" at the Dewan Negara yesterday to be most disgusting, deplorable and not to be taken lightly. He could have likened the maintenance of toilets as "a new broom" rather than "a new bride".

Samy Vellu has probably forgotten that his mother, sister, wife and daughter were once "brides".

The matter raised in the Dewan Negara on the upkeep of toilets is not a joke as a huge sum of money, i.e. RM99 million, is being spent for renovation of the Parliament building. Anyone has the right to question why such an amount of money is being spent and whether it is being spent wisely.

The speaker of the Dewan Negara should draw a line and check the members of parliament for their conduct during sessions. Members of parliament should not get away and say whatever they want.

In another question raised on the same day on gambling, Badruddin Amirudin (BN-Jerai) asked why Malaysia as an Islamic country should continue to encourage gambling and he linked people resorting to deviationist practices to obtain lucky numbers.

Badruddin was right in commenting because of his deep concern for the people. It was most disappointing when parliamentary secretary for the Finance Ministry, Hilmi Yahya made remarks calling Badruddin "an expert on these matters".

Members of parliament should not forget that it is the people who have elected them and put them there. They are supposed to serve the 'rakyat' - not make a fool of themselves in the process.