KUALA LUMPUR: Lawmakers were left amused in the Dewan Rakyat when a senior Umno MP claimed to be an "ultra Indian".

Pasir Salak MP Datuk Seri Tajuddin Abdul Rahman stood up to ask Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik on his request for Tamil schools in his constituency.

"There were requests to build Tamil schools but this plan has been disrupted. Can the Minister please help by looking into it," he told Dr Maszlee on Tuesday (Dec 11).

Hearing this, some of the MPs in the House laughed, causing Tajuddin to ask why they were laughing.

Tajuddin then declared his love for the Indian community.

"What do you know? I love Indians," he chuckled.

RSN Rayer (PH-Bukit Jelutong) immediately stood up to ask if he was merely acting.

To this, Tajuddin said that he has helped the Indian community in his constituency but many are not aware of it.

"I have helped an Indian (constituent) for an eye operation before. I love Indians. I'm ultra Indian, you know," he said.

Dr Maszlee, who then took the floor, pointed out that Tajuddin was a classic example of the old adage "Don't judge a book by its cover".

To this, Tajuddin interjected and said: "Don't judge me by my songkok (headgear)."

The Minister then added that his Ministry will look at Tajuddin's request to build a Tamil school in Pasir Salak.