PARLIAMENT A deputy minister caused an uproar in the House after he called Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh) the only woman with a "Kok"

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman said this after an exchange with opposition MPs over the Bersih 5 rally.

"Why is Seputeh going 'kekekeke'? The only woman with a 'Kok' is in Seputeh," Tajuddin said with a laugh.

This sparked outrage, with opposition MPs telling him to retract his statement.

"This is an uncivilised minister," Kok said in reply.

The word 'Kok' is phonetically similar to a colloquial slang for male genitalia.

However, Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee said Tajuddin was only referring to Kok's name.

Khalid Samad (Amanah-Shah Alam) objected, saying it was clear that Tajuddin meant otherwise.

Khalid then engaged in war of words with the Pasir Salak MP, calling the deputy minister "sial" (damned) and the latter replying "kurang ajar" (rude).

Tajuddin later challenged Khalid to settle the matter outside the Dewan.

"You think I am afraid of you?" he said.

Throughout the episode, Tajuddin appeared highly amused, grinning as the opposition shouted.

He even taunted Kasthuri Patto (DAP-Batu Kawan), by mimicking her objections in a squeaky voice.

"Speaker, tarik balik (retract). What is there to tarik balik?" the Umno supreme council member said in a cartoonish way.

Ronald refused to budge from his ruling, and ordered the House to proceed to the next question, taking no action against any of the MPs.

Speaking to reporters later, Tajuddin claimed that he did nothing wrong as he was merely calling Kok by her name.