Malaysian lawmakers, social media users slam opposition party’s walkout as PM Anwar Ibrahim thanks king

Analysts said the action by members of Perikatan Nasional (PN) was aimed at maintaining their relevance rather than concern of disrespecting the king, as they had to “create controversies” to survive, and that Anwar was the party’s political target.

The chaos unfolded on Tuesday in the legislature as Anwar motioned the speaker to allow him to congratulate Sultan Ibrahim on his appointment as Malaysia’s 17th king, and to thank the previous king for his five-year term that ended on January 30.

The walkout occurred after a terse argument between PN and House Speaker Johari Abdul, with PN saying Anwar’s motion was supposed to be done in the morning instead of the afternoon, citing the parliamentary standing order.

One PN lawmaker, representing the rural seat of Pendang in Kedah state, was also ejected from the house for his part in the ruckus. He was allowed back after he apologised to the speaker.

In his inaugural speech as king in the opening of parliament on Monday, Sultan Ibrahim reminded the country’s 222 lawmakers to set the best example for the public and gave the speaker “greenlight” to discipline those who “shout and curse at others”.

“Looking at the previous antics of the members of this assembly, I myself would feel ashamed to enter this hall,” Sultan Ibrahim said.

Anwar, who spent the morning hosting his Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet who was in Kuala Lumpur for an official visit, said he was sorry he could not attend parliament earlier, but argued there was nothing wrong with introducing the motion later in the day.

Malay sociology expert Awang Azman Awang Pawi from Universiti Malaya said PN had resorted to such antics to keep themselves relevant after the king offered praise for Anwar’s administration and warned