KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 – Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was forced to defend his position as home minister in Parliament today after a storm broke out over his upcoming civil trial on an assault charge.

The Bagan Datoh MP (picture) shot down Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo’s criticism against him in the Dewan Rakyat, pointing out that it was a civil case, and not a criminal case.

“Because you are the defence lawyer for the man, you are using this Dewan to make accusations,” said Ahmad Zahid while winding up the Royal Address in Parliament here today.

“There is an investigation. It’s a civil case, not a criminal case. Sit down! This is my floor!” he added, gesturing.

“If I listen to you, you must listen to me. This is a civil case. See you in court,” said the Umno vice-president.

Gobind questioned earlier why no action was taken against Ahmad Zahid in the 2006 case, leading to a rumpus between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers that forced Deputy Speaker Datuk Ismail Mohamed Said to call for order.

“He is not fit to be the home minister,” said Gobind.

Gobind, who is from the DAP, reportedly told Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last month to suspend Ahmad Zahid from Cabinet if he was serious about reforming the government.

Businessman Amir Abdullah Bazli has sued Ahmad Zahid for allegedly punching him in 2006 at the Country Heights recreational club in Kajang, Selangor, causing a swollen eye and a nasal bone fracture.

Ahmad Zahid, who was then the deputy information minister, applied to the High Court here to throw out the case, but his application was dismissed in 2010.

Ahmad Zahid then filed a countersuit against the 41-year-old, saying that the allegation had humiliated him and caused emotional trauma.

The Court of Appeal ruled last year, however, against Ahmad Zahid’s bid to strike out the assault suit and ordered him to fork out RM5,000 in costs, as well as to respond to the suit.