Social media is abuzz today with politicians on opposite sides attacking each other over MPs falling asleep during the Sedition Act amendment debate in Parliament.

Among the lawmakers who were subjected to scrutiny was DAP's Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming ( below, left ), after Gerakan Youth chief Tan Keng Liang tweeted a picture of him snoozing during the debate which went on till 4.18am.

"One of the DAP MPs in Parliament... needs a pillow?" read Tan's caption.

In a series of tweets, Tan continued to slam the opposition MPs for stealing forty winks during the proceedings.  

"See how DAP people are now trying to justify their MPs need to sleep in Parliament.. They are always right. Even sleeping on duty is also right.

"Thirty percent of Pakatan Rakyat MPs didn't attend Parliament the other day. When they attend, they tend to sleep on the job. Can Pakatan MPs be more responsible?" he tweeted.

Similarly, DAP's Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik posted a picture on Facebook of Gerakan's Simpang Renggam MP Liang Teck Meng ( left ) sleeping.

"Laugh at Gerakan... Earning a living?" read his caption.

Comments from members of the public on the postings varied, with some defending the MPs, saying they were exhausted due to the 19-hour sitting.

There were also those who criticised them for not exercising their duties.

"Ong has more brainpower and integrity in his big toe than you do in all of your existence," a Twitter user with the handle Deenish tweeted to Tan.

Among the bashing the lawmakers received from the people included those chiding the opposition for their attacks previously on former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

"Once upon a time they criticised Pak Lah (Abdullah, right ) for sleeping during debates. Look at them now," tweeted Suffian Kassim.

The Dewan Rakyat proceedings ended in the wee hours of the morning after a gruelling 12-hour debate on the Sedition Act (Amendment) Bill, which was passed at 2.30am.

The debates then went on till 4.18am, on several other matters including the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) (Amendment) Bill 2014.

This was the third time in a week where parliamentary proceedings have lasted past midnight.

Deputy Speaker Ronald Kiandee during proceedings also ticked off MPs for taking pictures of their colleagues who had fallen asleep in their chairs, given to the late hour.

Speaking to Malaysiakini later, Ong said he was not well yesterday.

"I had a slight fever. Some of my colleagues had sore throats.

"This is because many of them were deprived of sleep due to the long parliamentary sittings," Ong said, adding that he also felt sorry for the parliamentary staff and journalists.

"I slept only four hours on average these few days," he said.

Liang too claimed to be suffering from fever and cough, which he contracted after visiting the site of a fire at a landfill in his constituency.

"I had some medicine at night. Because of the medicine, I rested there (Parliament). Not very long, like only five minutes.

"I have never slept in Parliament (before). But because of the medicine, I rested for a short while," Liang added.