He said what he had actually stated in the Dewan Rakyat was that the opposition elected representatives needed to follow procedures in doing so.

“Don’t misquote me. It is not correct to say that I had used the word banned or prohibited. I never said that,” he said after launching the “Life Saving Skills” programme and “Safety and Rescue In Water Awareness” module here today.

Maszlee was reported to have said at the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Monday that opposition MPs who wished to enter government school premises should first obtain the permission of the ministry through the respective state education department directors.

His statement drew criticism from various quarters, including Pakatan Harapan (PH) elected representatives, among them its Youth chief, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who urged that the opposition elected reps be given due respect and not be prevented from entering education institution premises.