Several PN MPs stood up to interject after Rafizi made the remark, claiming the minister’s response to a question from Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) was “unsound” and misled the House.

“His answer is unsound,” said Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) and Nik Zawawi Salleh (PN-Pasir Puteh), prompting Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) to come to Rafizi’s defence.

“This is a fact, (Shahidan) has to accept that,” said Bung.

Speaker Johari Abdul then said MPs unhappy with Rafizi’s reply may submit a motion for the minister to be referred to the privileges committee for misleading the House.

“You may disagree, but the minister is only giving us the facts. If the minister has misled the House, submit a motion,” he said.

Rafizi later said he had replied in such a way because Syahir’s query to him was rhetorical. He quipped that Shahidan should teach Syahir not to ask such questions in the House.

He said the four PN-led states – Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis – still needed tens of millions in funds annually from the federal government.