‘OPPOSITION MPs SORE LOSERS’
Minister slams reps for trying to disrupt debate on Supplies Bill 2018
THE opposition members of parliament are sore losers who cannot accept defeat, said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.
She criticised the opposition for trying to disrupt the debate on Supplies Bill 2018 at the committee stage for the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry, which was eventually passed through block voting on Monday.
She said it was clear that the opposition MPs were disruptive when they created a ruckus after the result was announced by Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee.
“The opposition attempted to thwart the bill through the block voting, but had failed to do so as the budget for the ministry was passed with a simple majority.
“The block voting proves that the democratic system in the House remains strong.
“MPs must respect the decision as this process was carried out in accordance with the parliamentary Standing Orders,” she said in a statement yesterday.
The opposition created a stir when they demanded a block voting procedure after Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin wrapped up the 2018 Budget debate for the ministry.
The proposal was put forward by G. Manivannan (PKR-Kapar) as the opposition MPs outnumbered those from BN at the time.
In the block voting, the bill was passed with a 52-51 in favour of Barisan Nasional, with Pas MPs abstaining from the voting.
Opposition MPs had argued that several BN MPs had entered the Dewan Rakyat late and their votes should not count.
In response, Ronald said there was no provision in the Standing Orders which stated the time for MPs to be in the House during voting process.