“Siapa (yang) makan cili, dia rasa pedas,” he told reporters at the Dewan Rakyat lobby, quoting a Malay proverb.

MPs from both sides of the divide had burst into laughter this morning when Sultan Muhammad V, who was at the Dewan Rakyat to officiate the first session following the change of government in May, told them to be seated and not to stage a walkout.

“Members of the House, please be seated and don’t run,” the king had said.

He was referring to the episode yesterday in which opposition MPs walked out of the Dewan Rakyat to protest what they said was a violation of procedure in the appointment of Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as the new speaker.

They said the names of the nominees for the post should have been submitted two weeks before the sitting.

However, the government denied the claim, saying the name had been submitted earlier.

On being moderate, GST and SST

Mahathir said the Agong’s speech today had asked Malaysians to be moderate and to show consideration towards others.

He also said there were consequences for Muslims if they did not respect the religion of others.

“Tomorrow we shall see, but sometimes it is difficult to control them,” he said, referring to the MPs.

“Usually they want to talk, and our policy is that there should be no restrictions. If they want to talk, let them talk.”

On criticism of the sales and services tax rate of 10% for sales and 6% for services, he said people did not need to pay if they were not purchasing items.

“Compared to the GST (goods and services tax), it is a value-added tax. Whether a person buys items or not, the price of goods will increase.”

He added that a bill would be submitted in the Dewan Rakyat to abolish the GST, which was implemented in April 2015.

Dewan Rakyat erupts in laughter as Agong jokes about walkout