Azalina Othman Said said the budget is an important matter and attention must be given.

“I agree with what Jelutong said,” she said referring to DAP’s RSN Rayer.

“The finance minister or his deputies, should be in the Dewan (when the budget is being debated). I want either of them to be present as the budget is a very important matter.”

Azalina said while she understood that the finance minister and his deputies may be busy, but “so was everyone”.

She then insisted that one of them must be present in the Dewan to listen to issues raised over the national budget for next year, which was tabled by Tengku Zafrul last Friday.

Shahidan Kassim (BN-Arau) then interrupted, saying he was made to understand that they were at a meeting.

Rayer had earlier questioned why neither of them were in the House when the budget was being debated.