Art Harun: Proposal was for two MPs per party to attend Budget tabling, I fought for more

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun says it was proposed that only two MPs from each party should be in the Dewan Rakyat for the tabling of Budget 2021, but it was he who insisted that more should be able attend the sitting.

The Dewan Rakyat Speaker dismissed criticism directed at him over the decision to allow only 80 MPs to attend the sitting on Friday (Nov 6).

"It was a consensus decision of all party whips who attended the meeting on Wednesday (Nov 4) night when the decision was made.

"In truth, there was a proposal to limit only two MPs from each party to attend the tabling of Budget 2021, but it was I who fought to allow in 100 MPs and not the others (who attended the meeting).

"However, after further negotiation, it was decided to allow in 80," he said in response to RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Nov 5).

Rayer wanted clarification from Azhar on the matter, saying that Malaysians on social media were criticising the decision to limit the numbers of MPs.

Azhar, also known as Art Harun, however said those critics did not take note of how voting on the Budget would be done.

He said there was no limit to the number of MPs to vote on the Budget when a bloc vote is called.

"If a bloc vote is called for, then the House bell will be rung for two minutes and a 10-minute period given for all MPs to enter the House and the bell will be rung again for another two minutes before voting is held.

"There is no limit on the number of MPs (in the Dewan Rakyat) during voting," he said.

Rayer also asked why the 80 MPs allowed during debates comprised 41 government MPs and 39 Opposition MPs, and not an equal number of lawmakers from both sides.

Azhar said the numbers agreed by the party whips are a reflection of the current composition of the 222-member House.

He also said that the decision to shorten the debate time and limit the number of MPs in the House was aimed at limiting the risk of exposure to Covid-19.