Opposition's attitude regrettable, unprofessional - Khairy

The action by a number of Opposition MPs to walk out of the Dewan Rakyat while Budget 2017 was being presented was regrettable and unprofessional.

UMNO Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar said although the group was free to do what they did but as MPs, they should know that they would have the opportunity to argue on the Budget during the two-week debate session.

"We should show our professionalism during the budget speech; yesterday was the Prime Minister's turn to present the Budget as Finance Minister.

"If we don't agree, we can express it in our speech or debate. Many people have criticised the MPs' action as immature," he told reporters after launching the state-level Fit Malaysia programme here, today.

The MPs who walked out of the hall while the budget, 'Accelerating Growth, Ensuring Fiscal Prudence, Enhancing Well-being of the Rakyat' was being tabled, were from DAP, PKR and Parti Amanah Negara, besides Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Opposition also caused a commotion when they started holding up placards bearing sarcastic messages and engaging in a shouting match with government MPs.

In Johor Bahru, Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said the walkout showed that they (Opposition lawmakers) could not accept that the government could come up with such a sound Budget.

The 2017 Budget, he said, had gone down very well with the people because it catered to all levels of society and also paid special attention to civil servants.

The Pulai MP also praised the RM8.7 billion allocation for the Royal Malaysian Police saying it showed the government was concerned about the welfare of police personnel and that the sum would help the force in a long way to ensure peace and security in the country.

In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Makkal Sakti Party president Datuk R.S. Thanenthiran said it was unbecoming behaviour on the part of the MPs who walked out.

He said they served as poor examples more so after being elected to serve the people.

He added that the budget was welcomed by the Indian community because it showed that the government cared for them. -- Bernama