A heated debate broke out when Rayer asked finance minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz why former prime minister Najib Razak was allowed to go to Singapore despite not clearing his taxes.

He said even National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) defaulters were blacklisted and not allowed to leave the country.

“I want to ask why Pekan (Najib) is given flexibility to go to Singapore.

“If we are in debt with the Inland Revenue Department (LHDN), we are not allowed to leave (the country), we are blacklisted,” he said, as Tengku Zafrul was wrapping up his ministry’s debate on the Supply Bill 2022 at the committee stage.

Rayer asked the reason why Najib was not blacklisted. “I am asking on behalf of tax- payers,” he said.

Tengku Zafrul replied that it was the court’s decision.

In October, the Court of Appeal had approved Najib’s application for temporary return of his passport to allow him to travel to Singapore to visit his daughter, Nooryana Najwa, who had just delivered.

When Rayer continued to press for an explanation, Rashid told him to allow Tengku Zafrul to continue with his speech “as he has replied”.

But Rayer persisted and was told to leave the chamber for 20 minutes.