Malaysian lawmakers, social media users slam opposition party’s walkout as PM Anwar Ibrahim thanks king

Analysts said the walkout aimed to maintain Perikatan Nasional’s relevance, as the party had to ‘create controversies’ to survive and retain support among supporters

The new king had offered praise for PM Anwar’s administration and warned against attempts to destabilise the government

Reading Time:3 minutes

Malaysia’s king Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar receives documents from Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as queen Raja Zarith Sofiah looks on during the opening ceremony of the parliamentary session at parliament house in Kuala Lumpur. photo: AP

Published: 5:00pm, 28 Feb 2024Updated: 5:26pm, 28 Feb 2024

A walkout from parliament by Malaysia’s opposition party members – over Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressing thanks to the country’s new king despite the monarch earlier warning lawmakers about their behaviour – has drawn scorn from officials and some members of the public.

Analysts said the action by members of Perikatan Nasional (PN) was aimed at maintaining their relevance rather than concern of disrespecting the king, as they had to “create controversies” to survive, and that Anwar was the party’s political target.

The chaos unfolded on Tuesday in the legislature as Anwar motioned the speaker to allow him to congratulate Sultan Ibrahim on his appointment as Malaysia’s 17th king, and to thank the previous king for his five-year term that ended on January 30.

The walkout occurred after a terse argument between PN and House Speaker Johari Abdul, with PN saying Anwar’s motion was supposed to be done in the morning instead of the afternoon, citing the parliamentary standing order.

(From left) Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, king Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar and queen Raja Zarith Sofiah at the opening of the third session of the 15th parliament at Parliament House in Kuala Lumpur. Photo: AFP

One PN lawmaker, representing the rural seat of Pendang in Kedah state, was also ejected from the house for his part in the ruckus. He was allowed back after he apologised to the speaker.