PKR lawmaker Nurul Izzah Anwar admitted she was so emotional that she cried when she explained to the Dewan Rakyat on her controversial meeting with self-styled Sulu princess Jacel Kiram.

"I was so emotional.

"Well, I was crying for Malaysians," she said when met at the Parliament building.

Earlier today, the House had referred her to Parliament's Rights and Privileges Committee for meeting the princess.

The motion to refer her to the committee was passed in a bloc vote, with 105 in favour and 77 against.

Nurul turned emotional when she apologised to the House over the meeting which took place in the Philippines.

"Seven years ago, I took an oath to defend the country we love, the Federal Constitution and the people from any bad elements, be it from outside or inside.

"I have done everything to the best of my ability to uphold the trust," she had said.

It was at this point that she broke into tears.

On Nov 9, Jacel uploaded a series of photographs of her with Nurul at a dinner , including a picture of both of them holding a "release Anwar immediately" placard.

The inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar had said Nurul can be investigated under Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma) and Section 124 of the Penal Code for treason.