Shouts of 'kleptocracy' ring out as Najib ends speech on fiery note

BUDGET 2018 | Shouts of “kleptocracy” erupted from the opposition bench in the Dewan Rakyat this evening after Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak ended his two-and-a-half hour Budget 2018 speech with a clarion call to defend Putrajaya.

"Until our last drop of blood to bring victory for BN in the 14th general election,” thundered the prime minister to cheers from BN lawmakers.

In response, opposition lawmakers responded with shouts of "kleptocracy!"

The lawmakers also held placards showing their opposition to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), as well as Pakatan Harapan's promise to offer a minimum wage of RM1,500 if it comes to power.

BN lawmakers responded by holding up hard copies of Budget 2018. PAS MPs, on the other hand, did not participate.

However, Najib appeared unfazed and smiled as he sat down.

The situation was different for Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia, who attempted to restore order by repeatedly striking the gavel.

Last year, Harapan lawmakers staged a walkout after displaying placards stating ‘Siapa MO1?’ (Who is MO1?) as Najib tabled Budget 2017.

This was in reference to the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) civil forfeiture suits related to 1MDB which mentioned an individual dubbed Malaysian Official 1.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Abdul Rahman Dahlan later confirmed that MO1 was Najib but argued that since the latter was not named, he was not a subject of investigation.

The walkout had taken place after Pandikar repeatedly appealed to the MPs to sit and allow the prime minister to continue with his speech.

Pandikar then said those who were not willing to listen to the budget were free to leave the House.

Met later, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi believed that opposition lawmakers had brandished the placards out of frustration because Najib had presented a good budget.- Mkini