He also surprised many when just moments before the budget he presented last month was put to a vote, Najib rushed out of Parliament and into a black car waiting for him.

This came after a commotion that stemmed from his absence. This saw Second Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani being the one to wrap up the ministry’s budget debate.

Najib had arrived at the Parliament building at 8.40pm, half-way through Johari’s debate with the Opposition lawmakers.

However, he did not enter the august house itself, leaving the Opposition MPs frustrated as they were then deprived of the chance to direct controversial questions related to 1MDB, Najib’s RM2.6 billion donation and the budget allocation.

“Where is the prime minister? Where is he hiding? Why is he not here to answer the questions himself?

“So, the home minister (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) lied when he said the RM2.6 billion issue would be addressed by the finance minister,” shouted Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo.

The house then descended into chaos, with MPs from the government and the Opposition shouting at the top of their voices.

Gobind’s question went unanswered even when the debate ended.

It is believed that Najib was waiting for the end of the debate and was here solely to check on the voting for the budget which tonight passed the policy stage with 117 votes in favour and 70 votes against.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia told the house that 11 MPs did not cast their votes. All 11 were from PAS.