Minister in the Prime Minister Department Nazri Abdul Aziz confirmed that the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will be accompanied by two independent MPs for a visit to the US Congress.

zahrain hashim parliament 180310 The duo are Bayan Baru MP Zahrain Hashim ( left ) and Kulim Bandar Baru parliamentarian Zulkifli Noordin, who were both former PKR members.

Nazri explained that as the opposition practises bloc voting, BN had to make sure that it has sufficient members in the parliament.

"Therefore I have decided not to send (any) BN MPs to follow the prime minister (to Washington DC). During a parliamentary sitting, we will not allow any BN MPs to leave the country."

Nazri said that the BN MPs are aware that that the party will be at a disadvantage if its majority is reduced and are not disgruntled with his decision.

"That is why, from BN, only the Minister of Information, Communications and Culture, Rais Yatim, will be going with the prime minister."

He explained opposition lawmakers were not selected for the trip because he did not want to be accused of trying to decrease their numbers in Parliament.

He added that this is (DAP-Ipoh Barat) Lim Kit Siang's fault as he is the one who insisted on bloc voting.

"I send independents because they do not vote for BN or opposition - they are neutral," he said.

NONE Earlier today, Lim ( right ) claimed that it was better to be an independent MP because they get to be chosen to accompany Najib, while as the BN MPs are second class, they are left out.

He also questioned why the government did not consult the Pakatan Rakyat or invite their MPs to go along.

"This is as if Parliament is only made up of BN, which is not true," he said.

He ended his speech with a verbal jab:  "If this is the case then it should be called BN US Caucus."