PM’s Dept budget passed through bloc vote

 

The opposition MPs had opposed a voice vote and called for a bloc vote. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat today passed the budget for the Prime Minister’s Department through a bloc vote.

There were 105 ayes and 95 nays. Another 22 MPs did not vote.

Earlier, Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Harun had called for a voice vote which saw the Perikatan Nasional MPs clearly having a louder voice.

However, the opposition MPs called for a bloc vote with more than 15 MPs standing up in a show of support.

Azhar announced the results 10 minutes after the vote was taken..

Half-way through the voting process, opposition MPs stood up to object to Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bahru) from entering the hall while the votes were being counted.

The Prime Minister’s Department consist of five ministries – Law, Economy, Religious Affairs, Special Functions, and Sabah and Sarawak Affairs.

The MPs will now continue debating allocations for other ministries.

Last week, the RM322 billion 2021 budget was passed through a voice vote at the policy stage after the opposition MPs failed to get 15 MPs to push for a bloc vote. - FMT