KUALA LUMPUR – The Dewan Rakyat today passed Budget 2021 through a voice vote.
Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun called on MPs to voice out whether they agree to Perikatan Nasional’s maiden Budget, which was tabled by Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
After the voice vote, Azhar concluded that the ayes have it.
However, Datuk Seri Mahfuz Omar (PH-Pokok Sena) requested a physical tally.
“Do we have 15 MPs?” said Azhar, who then instructed the Dewan Rakyat herald to begin a headcount of the lawmakers who stood up, agreeing to a physical recount.
Mahfuz was among those heckled by government backbenchers, some of whom branded him and his party, Amanah, “traitors” for going against the Budget.
The opposition had only 13 of the required 15 members before a physical vote count could be triggered, with the majority of them remaining seated.
“There are 13 MPs standing up. Your honourable Pokok Sena, we don’t have 15 members. There are more voices who support Budget 2021. The bill is passed,” said Azhar.
The debate at the committee level will take place next Monday. – The Vibes, November 26, 2020
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