He said he had discussed the issue with party heads from PAS, Barisan Nasional, PPBM, GPS, PKR, DAP and Warisan as well as the independent bloc and backbenchers.

“The party vice-presidents decided that rude, sexist and racist words cannot be used by MPs.

“I hope MPs will give the same commitment,” he said at the start of today’s session.

Azhar, who was appointed as speaker last week, also said he would not hesitate to take action against MPs who continued to use such words.

The Dewan Rakyat session which began on July 13 has been marked by controversy over comments such as that by Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (PN-Baling) who caused an uproar by saying that Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) was “dark” and could not be seen. He also asked her to “put on some powder”.

He apologised the next day and retracted his remark, saying he had used the word “dark” to describe the area in which Kasthuri was seated.

Fake or not? Check our quick fake news buster here.