KUALA LUMPUR – The opposition has lost another bloc vote, as the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s RM1.2 billion allocation is today passed with 110 MPs in support and 104 opposed.
The vote saw the highest participation from the opposition.
After the counting fiasco on Monday, the designated enumerators were accompanied by observers from the opposing sides.
Six lawmakers were absent from the vote on the ministry led by Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali (Bersatu-Gombak).
The proposed allocation has yet to win the vote at the committee stage.
So far, the ruling Perikatan Nasional has won all nine votes.
Azmin today came under heavy questioning by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (independent-Langkawi) and Lim Guan Eng (PH-Bagan).
A shouting match erupted after Azmin highlighted previous Budget allocations for a series of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings that were approved by the Pakatan Harapan administration.
Lim questioned why the allocations were large when the meetings were held online, while Dr Mahathir took a swipe at the government for its over-reliance on foreign direct investments.
After the Miti bloc vote, several MPs were heard yelling “pengkhianat” (traitor) at Azmin, likely due to his role in the “Sheraton Move” that led to the fall of the PH government in late February.
It paved the way for PN to wrest Putrajaya, with Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin appointed prime minister on March 1. – The Vibes, December 3, 2020
