Budget 2021 passed, Anwar-Dr M fail to topple Muhyiddin

IT was an anti-climax ending at the Dewan Rakyat.  The much anticipated nail-biting affair failed to materialise.

Budget 2021 was passed in its third reading today, leaving the Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin-led Perikatan Nasional Government safe and sound.

In his decision, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said the third reading was supported by 111 MPs; with 108 rejecting it and one absentee.

The absent MP is believed to be Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Umno-Gua Musang).

“With this, I announce that the Bill is passed for the next stage,” he said.

The supply bill will now be deliberated at the Dewan Negara and voted.

Late last month, Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim came under fire for a last-minute decision to not support a bloc vote call, leaving many Pakatan Harapan MPs livid.

The Port Dickson MPs decision allowed the second reading of Budget 2021 to pass via voice vote.

The former deputy prime minister justified his eleventh-hour decision, saying the Government had tweaked the budget to meet certain conditions made by the opposition. 

Anwar even vowed to step down from his post should he fail to wrest federal power by this month. 

Yesterday, former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Gua Musang MP Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, urged MPs to vote down Budget 2021 in its third reading today.

He said it was time for a Government change, claiming the current leadership was only interested in retaining power at the expense of the rakyat.

Earlier this month, Tengku Razaleigh told Azhar that he will not attend Budget 2021 debate.

The long-time Umno MP said he will only participate if the Speaker allows a motion of no-confidence against Muhyiddin to be tabled, to prove the latter still commands majority support to helm the nation. – Dec 15, 2020.

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