Parliamentary walkouts: When protest becomes the story

In Malaysia's political landscape, opposition walkouts have become a contentious issue, often being defended by one side as a legitimate protest and condemned by the other as political theatrics. During the most recent Dewan Rakyat sitting, opposition members left in protest of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's absence, while some, including Bersatu MPs, remained to participate in the debate.

Jelutong MP R.S.N. Rayer criticized the walkout, arguing that opposition MPs should remain to scrutinize the Royal Commission of Inquiry report on Tabung Haji and suggest ways to prevent financial mismanagement. This stance echoes his previous criticism of a BN walkout in Penang's legislative assembly in 2009. Bersatu vice-president Dr Radzi Jidin, however, rejected the latest walkout, arguing that the issue was too crucial to be overshadowed by political drama.

Opposition MPs defended their actions, stating they sought a more thorough debate involving Anwar and questioned why supporting materials were not tabled. This contrasting opinion on walkouts is not new, as politicians on both sides have defended and rejected the tactic based on circumstances. In 2016, then opposition leader Wan Azizah Wan Ismail defended the walkout during the tabling of the 2017 Budget, while DAP's Teresa Kok also supported the tactic during a dispute over proposed amendments to the Syariah Courts Act.

In 2018, then opposition leader Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi defended a walkout over the appointment of the Dewan Rakyat speaker, while Umno member Khairy Jamaluddin refused to join, arguing that walkouts are not the right way to protest. The latest walkout has also drawn criticism from government lawmakers, who believe MPs should use their time in the House to scrutinize the report.