DAP chief Lim Kit Siang delivered his first speech as parliamentary opposition leader while participating in the motion of thanks for the royal address at parliament today.

Perhaps due to the 63-year-old veteran politician's five-year absence from the House, his speech, touching on a wide range of pertinent issues, took up to five hours and will continue on Monday.

The Ipoh Timor MP touched on issues ranging from parliamentary reforms, corruption, the revamp for government-linked companies (GLCs), press freedom and human rights issues.

He also called for a full accountability and transparency at state-owned Petronas, Putrajaya Holdings, the national oil reserve fund and the funding of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's retirement lifestyle.

He alleged Petronas "has bought or is buying a special jet for Mahathir's personal use".

Known for his fiery oratory skill, Lim was in fine fettle today with his speech frequently resulting in shouting matches at times bordering on absolute chaos.

Many Barisan Nasional parliamentarians interrupted him to try and seek explanations on points raised in his speech but the veteran refused to be sidetracked forcing one MP to invoke the Standing Orders.

"Ipoh Timor has to let the speaker to decide who should be given a chance to seek an explanation," said the MP, who is new to the House.

Responding to this, Lim told the first-timer that the Standing Orders stipulated that it was up to the MP who was giving the speech to decide on whether to allow questions or not.

"I am most willing to teach a basic parliamentary lesson, free of charge," he added to the chuckles of his fellow DAP parliamentarians.

'No principles'

At one juncture, Fadillah Yusof (BN-Petra Jaya) also invoked Standing Order 36 and said Lim has used offensive language.

"What offensive language? Standing Order 36 states the objection must be provided with examples of what offensive words I used but Petra Jaya didn't," he told the speaker as Fadillah looked stunned with the swift parry.

Nevertheless, Lim did not escape being grilled by BN parliamentarians who claimed he had not 'upheld principles' when DAP joined the Barisan Alternatif and later pulled out.

Lim also fielded questions and criticisms for his decision to move from his power base in Penang to contest in Ipoh Timor.

"If the opposition leader is a person of principle, he wouldn't have joined the BA which had ties with PAS and then pull out when the front suffered a severe defeat.

"Now when DAP is out of BA it did very well, explanation please!" Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Robert Lau asked.

Lim replied that the DAP had joined BA to "fight for a just Malaysia".

"Did you see (jailed ex-deputy premier) Anwar Ibrahim's black eye? He was almost died being beaten up.

"We pulled out from BA because we uphold our principle for a secular democratic state. So here is another basic parliamentary principle - don't ever give your opponent a chance to ask questions," the parliamentary stalwart replied without missing a beat.