An MP has called on the Defence Ministry to take legal action against those who ran down the government over the purchase of two Scorpene submarines.

Zahrain Mohamed Hashim (Independent-Bayan Baru) said French public prosecutor Yves Charpenel had stated that there was no trial conducted in any European country on the purchase of the submarines.

"If his statement was anything to go by, I believe the government has a solid ground take up a defamation suit against the perpetrators.

"The people were hoodwinked by these group of people who collected donations from the public for the so-called trial," he claimed when debating the 2013 Supply Bill at Dewan Rakyat today.

Speaking to reporters at Parliament lobby later, Zahrain proposed the promulgation of a law to monitor the activities of suspected foreign agents who interfere in the internal affairs of the country.

Meanwhile, Raime Unggi (BN-Tenom) pointed out an article written by Nile Bowie for the Centre for Research on Globalisation in Montreal, Canada on foreign funding received by pro-opposition groups in the country.

The article alleges Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was once a panel member of the Democracy Award organised by the Washington-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

The article also alleges NED of funding a pro-opposition news portal and a non-governmental organisation, Suaram.

The sitting resumes tomorrow.

- Bernama