Azalina Othman Said has described Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s presence in the Parliament complex this morning as a sign of desperation on the part of the opposition.

The minister in the Prime Minister’s Department also dismissed the move by opposition MPs to scrutinise the issue of immunity among Dewan Rakyat members as a "gimmick".

Azalina said the opposition should use the Standing Orders to put forth a motion on the matter.

"The action of opposition MPs to invite Mahathir to Parliament shows they are desperate, to the point of seeking help from outsiders.

"I am puzzled why the opposition did not use the existing standing order to discuss something that is not agreed upon in the Dewan Rakyat.

"I am of the view that Mahathir’s presence will not bring any meaning to the parliamentary system," Azalina added in a media statement.

Mahathir arrived at the Parliament building about 10.30am to attend an opposition meeting on the issue of immunity for lawmakers.

The 91-year-old former prime minister attended the meeting in his capacity as chairperson of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

Meanwhile, Azalina said a committee can be formed to resolve such issues, similar to the motion by the late DAP chairperson Karpal Singh on his arrest in the Parliament building.

"The motion was passed and a select committee was formed to investigate the incident.

"The select committee comprised both BN and opposition MPs, including (DAP veteran) Lim Kit Siang," she added.