KUALA LUMPUR – The opposition has lost yet another committee-stage bloc vote on Budget 2021, in what is its worst showing since the first vote took place on November 30.
The Pakatan Harapan-led bloc managed to get 94 votes to Perikatan Nasional’s 109 – a 15-vote difference – in the vote on the Transport Ministry’s budget today.
Previously, the opposition saw its worst showing last Monday, when 108 MPs voted for the Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry’s budget to 95 against, making for a 13-vote difference.
The closest PH has gotten to defeating PN was on the allocation for the International Trade and Industry Ministry, with 110 MPs in favour of the ruling pact to 104 against.
The vote on the Transport Ministry budget is the 13th win at the committee stage for Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s PN government. Five were done through bloc voting, and the other eight via a voice vote.
During today’s debate on the Transport Ministry’s allocation, Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohd Rashid Hasnon asked if the floor agreed to pass the budget via a voice vote.
Anthony Loke (PH-Seremban) stood up and called for a division vote, which was supported by the required 15 MPs.
“I’m seeking a division vote as the minister did not answer my questions.”
He had asked Transport Minister Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong about the government’s decision to revoke the cabotage exemption for foreign ships repairing undersea cables.
Later, when Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun took over the House and following a count, he announced that 109 MPs voted for the ministry’s budget to be passed, against (94) and absent (17). – The Vibes, December 7, 2020
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