Malaysian Opposition stage walkout led by Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Oppsition members have walked out of the Dewan Rakyat after the chair refused to allow them to seek clarification from Finance Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak over the economic stimulus package he is tabling.

Led by opposition leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim walked out after trying for an hour to interrupt Najib for clarification on the government's proposals for the economy.

Najib, who is Deputy Prime Minister, told the House he would take clarifications from members after he had finished outlining additional measures for the Budget 2009.

However, this did not go down well with the opposition block, which immediately proceeded to heckle Najib as he unveiled the measures being put in place.

Things reached an apex when speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, having lost his patience with Tian Chua (PKR-Batu), ordered him out of the House.

Tian had repeated refused to sit down and demanded to know why Finance Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak refused to allow them to seek clarification despite having spoken for an hour.

Najib said he was willing to allow them space for clarification but told them to be patient.

"I will give you all the chance. Be patient. What is the hurry," he asked.

However, Tian Chua was not happy and demanded to know why he could not seek a clarification.

"I order you to leave the House now. You can come back tomorrow," Pandikar Amin said.

However, opposition leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim told Pandikar Amin that ordering Tian Chua was not the solution to what he had been asking for.

"Even when I was the oppositon leader I allowed clarifications," he said.

After arguing with Pandikar Amin for about another five minutes, Anwar led the opposition block out of the House to thunderous cheering from backbenchers.

V. VASUDEVAN/EILEEN NG AT THE DEWAN RAKYAT
NST Online
04/10/08