Dewan Rakyat passes 2018 Budget with no amendments

After 19 days of debates, RM280.25 billion budget approved without any amendments

KUALA LUMPUR

THE Dewan Rakyat yesterday passed the RM280.25 billion 2018 Budget without any amendments after 19 days of heated debates.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee, who presided over the session, put the budget, officially called the Supply Bill 2018, to a vote which was passed through majority voice about 8.40pm.

Somewhat surprisingly, opposition members of parliament did not call for a bloc vote this time around.

The bill was first tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak on Oct 27.

It was tabled for the third and final reading by Second Finance Minister Datuk Johari Abdul Ghani, seconded by Datuk Hamim Samuri (BN-Ledang).

The bill, which seeks to provide a total of RM280.25 billion for government spending next year, was debated at the committee level until about 8.30pm.

Johari told the Dewan Rakyat that the bill had been deliberated and approved without any amendments.

The passing of the bill ended the session of the august house. The sitting will continue at 10am tomorrow.

In the final two days of the current session are expected to see MPs debating several bills, including the Private Aged Healthcare Facilities and Services Bill 2017, Dangerous Drugs (Amendment) Bill 2017 and Dental Bill 2017.

Also included in the order paper is Pas president’s Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang’s Private Member’s Bill to amend Syariah Laws.