The opposition MPs included those from PAS.

DAP’s Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen said they had decided to walk out and boycott the call for a block vote on the motion called by the government side.

“We want to teach (Barisan Nasional) MPs, deputy ministers and ministers not to play truant in Parliament.

“This is the lesson they can learn today, do not take Parliament for granted. It is their duty to attend Parliament,” he told a news conference.

The episode began after the opposition bench noticed many BN MPs were absent from the house during a debate on a motion by the finance minister dealing with GST exemptions.

The opposition then called for a block vote on the motion but Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee adjourned the proceedings for a lunch break, with the vote to be taken after that.

After the break, the BN whips packed the house with more than 100 MPs, easily outnumbering the opposition MPs.

When Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi called for the vote, the opposition MPs rose and left to heckling by the BN MPs who called them cowards.

The motion was carried with 101 votes in favour and none against.

DAP’s Seremban MP Anthony Loke said the opposition called the vote to catch BN off guard and defeat the motion at a time when their numbers in the house were low.

“The speaker should have called the vote then and there but he delayed it to 2.30pm. BN then rushed all their MPs back, including even the deputy prime minister.

“It’s the first time the DPM asked for a block vote and we left because we feel that the process of the vote was misused.”