COMMENT | It is always supposed to be a serene affair with interjections of humour and wit when lawmakers exchange views on all matters which affect the welfare and well-being of the people for the benefit of all Malaysians.

The affairs are usually conducted in a civilised manner. When accusations are made, they are substantiated with facts and figures. It has and never will be the platform for individuals to vent their anger or settle personal scores against anyone inside or outside the confines of the august House.

If vitriol of words is poured on someone inside the House, there’s an opportunity for rebuttal which has happened several times. The repartee is sometimes a friendly banter but, in most cases, it has been exchanges of not-so-nice words.

What transpired in the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday was a full-frontal attack on Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. It breached all protocols, etiquette and conventions.

While previously, MPs watched helplessly in an air of expectedness from the usual suspects, this time, it came from someone whose voice was hardly heard in the past...