Departing from his normal diplomatic rebukes, Gerakan Youth deputy chief Andy Yong fired a vitriolic salvo at Pakatan Harapan politicians this afternoon.

He was responding to the criticism surrounding the opposition staging a walkout from Dewan Rakyat yesterday and Johor DAP chairperson Liew Chin Tong's appointment as deputy defence minister today.

“When they (Harapan) always did a walkout (from Dewan Rakyat), they considered it as their democratic right.

“Now, when they make a backdoor appointment (Liew), they allowed it. What a bunch of childish and hypocrite politicians,” he told Malaysiakini.

BN and PAS lawmakers, except for Khairy Jamaluddin and Anifah Aman, exited the Dewan Rakyat in protest of the speaker's appointment.

The lawmakers argued that Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof's appointment did not comply with the Standing Orders, which Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad denied.

Meanwhile, Yong commended Khairy and Anifah for doing the right thing.

“To be a credible and constructive opposition is not about following or being yes-men.

“High time for the parliamentarians from both sides to look into and debate the more important issues for the betterment of the rakyat and nation.

“The rakyat do not want to see a messy and unconstructive Parliament sitting just like before the last general election,” he added.

Earlier, MCA deputy president Wee Ka Siong also criticised Liew's appointment, noting how the latter had mocked those who were appointed in such a manner in the past.

Wee had defeated Liew, who was appointed as a senator this afternoon, in the May 9 general election for the Ayer Hitam parliamentary seat.