KUALA LUMPUR – Opposition parliamentarians have only themselves to blame over their failure to prevent Budget 2021 from being passed in Dewan Rakyat today, said Barisan Nasional MPs.
That was the sentiment raised by Tan Sri Annuar Musa (BN-Ketereh), Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong (BN-Ayer Hitam), and Khairy Jamaluddin (BN-Rembau) on their personal social media platforms.
“Thank God. The Budget to protect the people has been passed. The opposition’s attempt to request for individual voting was foiled by themselves when 15 MPs failed to stand up and request for said voting.
“This is a victory for the people. A vote of confidence,” tweeted Annuar.
Alhamdulillah BAJET MEMBELA RAKYAT lulus dgn lebihan suara pd bacaan kedua sebentar tadi.Percubaan pembangkang meminta undi belahbagi di tewaskan oleh pembangkang sendiri apabila mereka yg berdiri memohon undi sedemikian tidak mencukupi 15 org spt di syaratkan..Tahniah semua MP pic.twitter.com/tYi4hWGtfb
— Annuar Musa (@AnnuarMusa) November 26, 2020
Khairy highlighted the irony of the opposition’s failure to annul the voice vote, which saw the passing of the Supply Bill, that they claimed was no good and needed to be rejected.
“Standing Orders stipulate that in a voice vote, the speaker decides based on whether more voice their agreement vs disagree. MPs can request for individual voting. This requires 15 MPs to stand up and make the request. Less than 15 MPs made the request just now,” tweeted Khairy.
Standing orders stipulate a voice vote. Speaker decides based on whether more voice their agreement vs disagree. MPs can request for individual voting (belah bahagi). That requires 15 MP to stand up and make the request. Less than 15 MPs made the request just now. https://t.co/SpQqK0X7qS
— Khairy Jamaluddin ??? (@Khairykj) November 26, 2020
The same was also echoed by Wee on his Facebook page.
“There was a ruckus in Dewan Rakyat as the opposition continued to create ploys to reject Budget 2021. They requested individual votes, but less than 15 MPs stood up. Therefore, Budget 2021 was passed through a voice vote.”
The request for a headcount was made by Datuk Seri Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena) and this led to him being heckled by government backbenchers, some of whom branded him and his party, Amanah, as “traitors” for going against the Budget.
Only 13 opposition MPs stood up.
Alhamdulillah. Keputusan parti melalui MKT yg menyokong Bajet 2021 dengan 2 syarat telah diperakui sepenuhnya. Solidariti UMNO & BN terpancar melalui kelulusan bajet tersebut.#BNjagarakyat#Bajet2021 pic.twitter.com/sBD1BxIBAY
— Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (@DrZahidHamidi) November 26, 2020
Meanwhile, BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi took to Twitter to express his gratitude for the government’s willingness to tweak the Budget according to the coalition’s conditions.
“Thank God. The party’s decision through the Supreme Council to support Budget 2021 with the two conditions has been recognised. The solidarity of Umno and BN continues to shine through with the passing of the Budget.”
The debate over the RM322.5 billion Budget at the committee level will take place next Monday. – The Vibes, November 26, 2020
