KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak slammed the walkout staged by opposition lawmakers during the tabling of the 2017 Budget.
In describing it as an act of disgrace against the parliamentary institution, Najib said everyone, regardless of their political beliefs and ideologies, should respect the country’s democratic process.
“We must respect the democratic process and all the values tied to it. This is important because even in advanced nations, people have different views but do not act this way.
“This has brought shame to the Parliament,” he told reporters after tabling the budget at the Parliament lobby.
Najib, who is also finance minister, said he wanted the people to judge the opposition lawmakers’ actions as they had intentionally undermined the country’s spirit of parliamentary democracy.
“I think what is important is for people to judge their behaviour and make a decision when the time comes. Despite our differing views, we must respect one another and be polite.
“We as leaders must display good behaviour so that we are respected. It doesn’t matter whether we are from the government or opposition,” he said.
Earlier, the tabling of the budget was disrupted when opposition lawmakers stood up to interrupt Najib’s speech.
It started when Najib said there were allegations that the 2017 Budget is of no substance and the government had insufficient funds.
"In fact, an opposition leader stated that Malaysia will face a difficult economic situation this year. Now, who is without substance? Where did the storm originate? Who is the one putting up a show?” said Najib.
The opposition MPs then stood up in protest and created a ruckus despite repeated calls by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to sit down. When Pandikar warned to eject them, they stopped making noise and chose to walkout.
The prime minister, who maintained his cool throughout despite being forced to pause and sit down, chided the opposition MPs and said the rakyat can now see their real behaviour.