KUALA LUMPUR: MPs from both sides of the divide today burst into laughter after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong took the microphone to tell them to be seated and not to stage a walkout.
“Members of the House, please be seated and don’t run,” said Sultan Muhammad V, as soon as he arrived to officiate the first Dewan Rakyat session after the change of government in May.
The remark drew laughter from the bench, with some Pakatan Harapan MPs seen thumping on their desks to show support.
Yesterday, all but three opposition MPs staged a walkout to protest what they said was a violation of procedure in the appointment of new speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof.
They said the names of the nominees for the post should have been submitted two weeks before the sitting.
The government denied the claim, saying the name had been submitted earlier.
Khairy stays put as opposition MPs walk out over new speaker