KUALA LUMPUR: Sungai Besar MP Budiman Mohd Zohdi is relishing his first time in Parliament.
Despite being a rookie, Budiman feels right at home, and thanks his fellow lawmakers from both sides of the political divide for giving him valuable advice on the workings of the Dewan.
"A lot of the MPs are my friends and although some of them are younger than me, in terms of Parliamentary experience, they are my seniors.
“They shared their own experience as Parliamentarians, wished me good luck and encouraged me to just go out and do it,” he told reporters when met at Parliament lobby today.
He also praised Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia for being liberal and giving ample opportunity for lawmakers to speak up, which is allowing a culture of debate to flourish.
On speaking in Parliament, Budiman said his experience as Selangor state assemblyman for Sungai Panjang helped him to counter stage fright and build up confidence before debating on the 2017 Budget for a full 90 minutes today.
“I had to make sure that I was ready to take questions, especially from opposition MPs, as you never know what their intentions are.
“They might be asking for answers, or just to test your knowledge on the subject matter,” he said.
In his speech, Budiman pointed out several flaws in the opposition’s alternative budget, such as inconsistencies in its promises to provide free education and to abolish the GST.
He also criticised their decision to walk out during the 2017 Budget presentation by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak last week.
"BN lawmakers, being the Opposition in the Selangor state assembly, have never walked out during the state budget presentation,” he said.
Budiman was elected to the august house after winning a three-cornered by-election by a huge majority in June.