KUALA LUMPUR – The 80-MP limit in the Dewan Rakyat will not apply when a bloc voting is called, said Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.
“We will not limit the voting to only 80 MPs. During voting, we will give an opportunity to all.
“We will ring a bell for two minutes, wait 10 minutes, and ring another bell for two minutes, so all MPs outside the hall can come in to vote.”
He was responding to R.S.N. Rayer (Jelutong-PH), who questioned the uneven number of lawmakers – 41 Perikatan Nasional MPs to 39 opposition ones – allowed in the House at any one time.
A consensus on the matter was reached among party whips at a meeting yesterday, he said.
He also announced that press conferences by ministers and other MPs after the tabling of Budget 2021 tomorrow will be held only in the Parliament banquet area due to movement restrictions imposed on the selected media organisations allowed to cover the proceedings.
Azhar said the rationale behind this is to limit the amount of time all 222 parliamentarians are exposed to large groups.
“The voting time, maybe we will limit to 15 or 20 minutes.” – The Vibes, November 5, 2020
