Dr Kelvin Yii (PH-Bandar Kuching) raised the matter, citing Dewan Rakyat’s Standing Order 36(12) which states that any member who makes statements that mislead the House is deemed to be in contempt of the House and may be referred to the rights and privileges committee.

Yii said Halimah should be ordered to retract her statement and apologise to the House and members of the public who might have cancer or autism.

Johari said he would check the Hansard before making a ruling tomorrow.

Misbahul Munir Masduki (PN-Parit Buntar) then raised Standing Order 36(6), which states that no member shall impute improper motives to any other member, saying that Yii had made a false claim against Halimah as she had never linked the Menu Rahmah programme to cancer and autism.

Misbahul said the Hansard would prove this. A shouting match then ensued across the aisle between Misbahul, Yii and RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) before Halimah interjected to plead her innocence.

Johari then ordered the MPs to sit, saying: “I don’t have the Hansard with me. I don’t want to make the wrong decision.”

Earlier, Yii submitted a motion for Halimah to be referred to the Dewan Rakyat’s rights and privileges committee for her remarks.

Halimah created a stir when she allegedly linked the government’s low-cost meal scheme to autism and cancer during the Dewan Rakyat’s debate on the royal address on Feb 14.

The transcript obtained from the Hansard available on the Parliament’s website showed that she said the B40 and hardcore poor should not be fed “low quality food” that could “cause them to be exposed to cancer, autoimmune diseases, autism and others”.