WHILE the majority of Barisan Nasional lawmakers staged a walkout in Parliament today over the appointment of Mohd Ariff Md Yusof as Dewan Rakyat speaker, Kimanis MP Anifah Aman stood his ground and later congratulated the former judge.

BN backbenchers together with PAS MPs staged a walkout as a sign of protest to Ariff’s appointment.

Only Anifah, Rembau MP Khairy Jamaluddin and Labuan MP Rozman Isli stayed in the House.

“We have already expressed our objection and dissatisfaction on the appointment of the speaker today. I respect the views and stand of my colleagues in the opposition,” Anifah said.

“However, I do not think or feel that it was necessary for me to leave the sitting this morning. I will think and act in any issue that will bring benefit to the people and the nation.

“In any case, I congratulate the speaker on his appointment today,” said the former foreign affairs minister.

Earlier, Khairy also told the media that he disagreed with the walkout staged by his colleagues.

The former youth and sports minister said he did not want to tarnish BN’s image.

He also said the opposition could have staged a protest through other means but insisted that decorum should be observed on the first day of the new Parliament sitting after the general election. – July 16, 2018.