Mps In Ppe Prompt Opposition Walkout From Ft Ministry S Budget Bloc Vote

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PARLIAMENT | The presence of three MPs wearing full personal protective equipment (PPE) in the Dewan Rakyat today prompted a majority of opposition lawmakers to walk out from a bloc vote after debates on the Federal Territories Ministry's budget.
The trio - Health Minister Dr Adham Baba (BN-Tenggara), Human Resources Minister M Saravanan (BN-Tapah) and P Prabakaran (Harapan-Batu) - are currently under home quarantine after being exposed to a Covid-19 positive patient.
PKR chief whip Johari Abdul (Harapan-Sungai Petani) had called for a bloc vote on the ministry's RM956.7 million allocation under the Supply (Budget) Bill 2021.
Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Harapan-Kuala Langat) and opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim later stood up to seek an explanation from Dewan Rakyat speaker Azhar Azizan Harun on reasons behind permission granted for the trio to enter the House and vote.
Azhar attempted to repeat his initial explanation that he was only following Covid-19 procedures set by the Health Ministry but the opposition MPs remained unhappy and eventually walked out to mocking cries from the government bench.
As Azhar announced that voting would commence, an MP was heard declaring that they would walk out.
"No need to vote, no need to vote. Parliament is no longer following the law.
"All on our side can leave. No need to vote," said Mohamad Sabu (Harapan-Kota Raja).

On the government bench, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin was heard mocking those who left as cowards.

"You asked for it (bloc vote) but you run," another MP was heard as saying.
Dzulkefly Ahmad (Harapan-Kuala Selangor), who chose to remain inside the House, was heard responding: "The opposition leader is only asking the speaker to explain his rationale. That's all, what is so difficult?".
The bloc voting proceeded and the government passed the ministry's budget with 110 for, seven against, 31 abstained and 72 absent. - Mkini

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