Respect for the House - KJ explains decision to stay put

PARLIAMENT | As more than 60 BN and PAS lawmakers exited the Dewan Rakyat in protest this morning, Khairy Jamaluddin chose to remain in his seat.

Speaking to reporters later, the Rembau MP explained that he did so out of respect for Parliament.

The former Umno minister said objections with regard to Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof's appointment should be kept for the debate sessions.

"We can protest during the debates after the opening ceremony tomorrow or (by citing the) Standing Orders on Wednesday," he added.

Earlier, when Dewan Rakyat secretary Roosme Hamzah initiated the ceremony to have Ariff sworn in as speaker, BN and PAS MPs voiced their protest.

The opposition MPs disputed Roosme's claim that she received a letter from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad on July 2 regarding Ariff's appointment, thereby fulfilling the 14-day notice stipulated under Standing Order 4(1).

When their protest was ignored, the MPs, except for Khairy and Kimanis lawmaker Anifah Aman, staged a walkout.

Khairy and Anifah were seen gesturing to each other and pointing to their seats, as if confirming their decision to remain in the House.

However, BN MPs returned to the Dewan Rakyat about an hour later to be sworn in.

Khairy told reporters later that he had to respect the process to avoid tainting BN's image as a credible opposition.

He refused to comment on his colleagues' decision.

"I am only talking for myself. I cannot speak for others," he said.

On whether he expected repercussions from Umno for his decision to break ranks, he replied: "I am not sure. I made a decision which I believe was right - to respect the swearing-in ceremony."

During a press conference after the walkout, incoming opposition leader Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the Dewan Rakyat session should be postponed for 14 days to fulfil Standing Order 4(1).

Earlier, former premier Najib Abdul Razak said Khairy and Anifah should explain their reasons for not walking out.

"That was the party's decision. I leave it to the party to whatever decision, whatever views.

"Probably they (Khairy and Anifah) should explain to some extent why they did what they did," he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Anifah said he respected the views of his opposition colleagues.

"However, I am of the opinion that there was no necessity for me to leave the House this morning.

"(As) with any issue, I will act in the interest of the people and country," he said in a statement.

Anifah also congratulated Ariff as the new Dewan Rakyat speaker. -Mkini