DPM: Credible reps don't walk out

Opposition members of parliament who walked out of the Dewan Rakyat after they were denied a chance to debate a motion, cannot be credible representatives, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

The action to walkout when the parliament was in session had also deprived them of an opportunity to voice concerns of the people at the Dewan Rakyat, he said.

"They not only failed to heed the royal advise by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, they have also failed to carry out their duties as representatives of the people, with credibility, by not being present during debate.

"Since they (opposition MPs) left in a group, they lost the opportunity to use valuable time that was available for them to voice out pertinent issues of the people," said Muhyiddin after chairing a meeting on development of schools at the Parliament building today.

The opposition MPs walked out after a motion for debate was refused after Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein had tabled a motion, ordering the Inspector-General of Police to protect parliament.

The motion instructs the IGP to take care of security and traffic while parliament was in session to ensure streets leading to the House were kept free and MPs not obstructed from getting to and from parliament.

Total disrespect for the King

Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) had then requested Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to allow for a debate on the motion but when his request was refused, Lim, Chong Eng (DAP-Bukit Mertajam) and N Gobalakrishnan (PKR-Padang Serai) led other MPs in staging a walkout.

Pandikar had told the opposition that the motion was tabled by convention at the opening session of every Parliament sitting and that it was not common practice for it to be debated.

On Monday, Tuanku Mizan had expressed unhappiness over the behaviour of some MPs which could tarnish their image as elected representatives.

The king said for two consecutive parliamentary terms, he had reminded the MPs to show exemplary character and behaviour in the Dewan Rakyat.

Muhyiddin said the decision by the opposition MPs to stage a walkout despite being advised by the king, showed total disrespect.

- Bernama