KUALA LUMPUR, April 19 — Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang ejected several opposition MPs from the Parliament lobby today, saying they were disturbing the ongoing senate proceedings.

The DAP and PKR lawmakers who are also members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) were in the midst of a news conference.

"If you want to make a press statement, please go out," Abu Zahar told Kepong MP and PAC deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw, Petaling Jaya Utara Tony Pua, Teluk Kemang MP Datuk Kamarul Baharin and Selayang MP William Leong.

Abu Zahar also advised the Dewan Negara members later not to disturb Dewan Rakyat proceedings and to respect the processes in both Houses of Parliament.

"Dewan Rakyat MPs are not supposed to disturb the Dewan Negara proceedings and Dewan Negara members are not supposed to disturb Dewan Rakyat proceedings," he said in the upper House.

Pua however, expressed surprise with the order, pointing out that MPs have the right to use facilities in the Parliament building.

"I don't want to argue with him, but we as MPs have the right to use the facilities provided to us.

"What we can't do is enter the House because Dewan Negara is in session," Pua told reporters outside the building where the press conference was later moved to.

The opposition members of PAC were holding a press conference on the parliamentary watchdog’s report on state-owned firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad.