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KUALA LUMPUR: After the 2021 budget was approved with a simple voice vote in the political stage of Parliament, opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the Perikatan Nasional government is not out of the woods yet.
While acknowledging that other opposition MPs, namely Kota Raja MP Mohamad Sabu, had strong views against the 2021 Budget, Anwar said he had asked the Amanah chairman to “allow the 2021 Budget to proceed.”
“This is to avoid block votes so we can continue (debating the Budget). There is no guarantee that it will not be approved.
“Next Monday, when the 2021 Budget is in the committee stage, it will be deliberated in depth. Certainly, we will choose to reject and ask for a review if deemed necessary, ”Anwar told reporters in the Parliament lobby on Thursday (November 26).
Anwar spoke to reporters after attending a meeting with MPs from the DAP and PKR in Parliament after the 2021 Budget was approved in Parliament by a simple voice vote.
“Whether or not it passes in the final third reading (committee stage), there is no indication that we are not following the agenda,” Anwar said, referring to the reform agenda.
Also present were top DAP leaders such as Anthony Loke, Lim Guan Eng and Gobind Singh Deo.
Anwar also acknowledged that Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz had taken various steps when he announced the amendments made to the 2021 Budget.
“I don’t want to be seen to be ignoring the fact that the minister has taken some steps to address fundamental issues that will be more palatable to the rakyat.”
However, the Port Dickson MP criticized Zafrul for providing only vague details on allocations during his liquidation speech on the 2021 budget.
“The minister is expected to at least tabulate numbers and figures. It just says there is no increase (in funding). How can you say there is no raise when you spend millions? “he questioned.
Anwar also criticized President Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun for allegedly being “blatantly biased” in chairing the meeting.
“Spokesperson, please use your responsibility and power and make sure there are adequate avenues for parliamentarians to express their views,” he added.
Earlier in Parliament on Thursday (Nov 26), Amanah’s Pokok Sena MP Datuk Mahfuz Omar called for a block vote on the 2021 Budget after it was passed in a voice vote.
Azhar said there were 13 MPs who stood up in support of Mahfuz, but the identities of the 13 could not be confirmed.
Other MPs from Pejuang and Amanah, namely Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah, Datuk Seri Mukhriz Mahathir, Datuk Shahruddin Md Salleh and several other MPs also stood up in support of Mahfuz.
Mahfuz’s call for a bloc vote proved futile after Azhar said there were only 13 MPs who stood up in support, fewer than the 15 MPs required under Standing Order 46 (4).
The decision by DAP and PKR not to support the block vote called by Mahfuz was criticized by Malaysians on social media.
“YB, I, as a citizen of your constituency, am very disappointed with what happened just now in Parliament. Why did you not voice your complaints against the budget?” Asked Twitter user Lam Ian.
Pursuant to Standing Order 46 (3), a bill will be presented to the House for a voice vote of “yes” and “no” in debates, with the results announced by the President.
The results can be challenged by a deputy under Standing Order 46 (4) of Parliament calling for a block vote involving the actual counting of votes of the legislators present in the House.
However, for a block vote to be triggered, at least 15 legislators must be seen in support, otherwise the President will announce the results of the previous oral vote.
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