WALKOUT IS WALKING AWAY FROM RESPONSIBILITY - PM

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Wednesday took opposition members of parliament to task for staging a walkout
Tuesday and likened the action to "walking away from responsibility."

He said if they had not walked out, the sitting would have been able to
discuss the details of the stimulus package tabled by Deputy Prime Minister
Najib Razak without the need to adjourn the proceedings this morning to
clear confusions that arose.

The Lower House of Parliament's proceedings was adjourned for 45 minutes
Wednesday to ease tension after several Opposition MPs raised questions claiming
confusion over whether Budget 2009 tabled on Aug 29 or the RM7-billion (US$2
billion),stimulus package introduced Tuesday was approved for second
reading.

"The Supplementary Supply Bill is a very important Bill. It details out the
budget proposal for the year 2009," he told reporters at the parliament
lobby.

Asked on the walkout, which was not the first time involving Opposition
members, Abdullah said it appeared it the move was done deliberately.

He said Opposition members appeared to be trying to disturb the proceedings
by repeatedly raising points of order despite warnings from Speaker Pandikar
Amin Mulia.

Asked on the claim by Opposition members that Najib was "arrogant" for not
giving them opportunities to interject to seek clarification, Abdullah said, "I
don't think he is arrogant. I think he just wanted to read out quickly the
details of the stimulus package."

Asked whether there was a need to amend the Suppleemntary Supply Bill 2009
as what was demanded by the Opposition, Abdullah said there was no necessity to
do so.
-- BERNAMA