I asked Whip chiefs of opposition parties not to support bloc voting - Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR: Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has admitted to making the decision in asking the opposition party Whip chiefs not to support the 2021 Budget bloc vote in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

According to him, the action was taken to give MPs the space to scrutinise in detail the overall announcement of the Minister of Finance.

"Of course, Malaysians, especially those who are most affected by the loss of work or income, welcome the announcement by the Finance Minister along with additional allocations for Sabah, fishermen and farmers, COVID-19 frontline workers and workers who expect immediate assistance.

"Although my friends, especially YB Lim Guan Eng and YB Mohamad Sabu felt the need for a bloc vote at that time, I have decided as the Opposition Leader and the Chairman of Pakatan Harapan to ask the Whip leaders of the opposition parties not to do so," he said in a media statement on Friday.

However, Anwar asserted that MPs have the right to question the details of the additional allocation announced by the Minister of Finance, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz yesterday.

"Members of Parliament have the right to question whether these provisions are in addition to what has been announced or resulting from the cuts of any other Ministry, what is the actual amount of Budget, as well as the impact on the country's financial situation, as well as issues of those still craving for assistance such as taxi drivers , canteen operators and many more.

"Several mechanisms including the withdrawal of funds from the EPF and the bank's moratorium also need to be scrutinised.

“Opportunities still exist to express a firm stance including through bloc voting at the committee stage in the coming weeks.

"I need to state here that in the history of the Malaysian Parliament, there has never been a budget amended in such a quontum or in such a way.

“This is a sign of the Perikatan Nasional 's willingness to do anything to stay in power, including violating Parliament's precedent," he added.

Yesterday, Pokok Sena Member of Parliament, Datuk Mahfuz Omar tried to propose a bloc vote on the 2021 Budget in the Dewan Rakyat but was unsuccessful after only 13 MPs expressed support.

It thus saw the Supply (Budget) Bill 2021 successfully passed at the policy stage.

The committee stage debate is expected to start on November 30 until the last vote on December 15.