Halimah said she could not do so as the matter was being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
She said this when asked by RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) if any MIC leaders were involved in the scandal.
Rayer, however, shot back and asked if a minister could “hide behind” MACC in refusing to address the issue. He also asked if the anti-graft agency could instruct the minister on what to say in the lower house, adding that it made a “mockery of Parliament”.
Halimah shot back, stating: “I never said MACC instructed me not to answer (questions linked to the Mitra issue). MACC cannot issue any directives.”
She also told Rayer to “sit down” after he interrupted her.
Rayer then asked why Halimah was afraid.
“I’m not afraid and I’m not being defensive,” Halimah said, adding that when the issue was first raised in the Dewan Rakyat, her ministry had reached out to MACC to investigate the matter.
“So, I’m not afraid. Whatever we do is in accordance with the law,” she said.
Rayer again interjected and asked if any political leaders were involved, but Halimah told him: “Just sit down, there is no need to be a hero.”
She then said she would leave it to MACC to answer the questions raised by Rayer.
Deputy speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon then warned Rayer against interrupting Halimah.
A clearly irate Halimah also ticked off Wong Kah Woh (PH-Ipoh Timur) for “putting words in my mouth” after Wong claimed she had said that MACC told her to be careful when answering questions in Parliament.
Halimah also got into an argument with Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) after Kasthuri told her not to ignore the opposition because she was “upset”.
Kasthuri accused Halimah of not answering the question she had raised.
“Can you just sit down, I have answered all the questions,” Halimah said, adding that she could not disclose reports on Mitra which had been handed over to the MACC.
Last month, MACC nabbed 16 company directors on suspicion of being involved in misappropriating Mitra funds.
We are live on Telegram, subscribe here for breaking news and the latest announcements.