KHAIRY Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) disagreed with the walkout staged by his opposition colleagues over the Dewan Rakyat speaker’s nomination, saying he did not want to tarnish Barrisan Nasional’s image.

He said any protest against Mohd Ariff Md Yusof’s appointment as speaker could be held through other means and at other times, as decorum should be observed on the first day of the new Parliament sitting after the general election.

“I feel that is not the way. Today is the day for the swearing-in of MPs and we should respect the house. If we want to protest, we can do so after the official opening, during the debates or by using the standing orders on Wednesday.

“To me, it’s better that we respect the opening ceremony of the Dewan Rakyat today instead of doing something that can tarnish BN’s image,” Khairy said to reporters outside the chamber.

Khairy cut a lonely figure sitting in the opposition bloc, surrounded by empty seats, while the rest walked out after accusing the Pakatan Harapan government of not abiding by a 14-day notice to Parliament on the speaker’s nomination.

Two other MPs who also stayed back were Anifah Aman (Kimanis) and Rozman Isli (Labuan).

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is Bagan Datuk MP, also walked out and Khairy was asked if he refusal to join the protest would result in repercussions.

“I’m not sure. I made the decision (to stay) according to what I feel is right,” he said.

He also declined to comment on his colleagues who walked out.

“I only speak for myself.”

Khairy, formerly youth and sports minister and Umno Youth chief, now holds no posts other than as MP. He turned down the offer of being BN secretary-general and opposition leader after losing his bid for the Umno presidency.

Transport Minister Anthony Loke has rebuffed the claim that the government failed to give 14 days’ notice to Parliament on the speaker, saying notice was given on July 2. – July 16, 2018.