DEWAN Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun today adjourned proceedings for 10 minutes before a vote on a crucial Supply Bill to give Perikatan Nasional MPs time to gather.

This happened immediately after he accepted a call for a bloc vote, where parliamentarians state their votes individually, from the opposition.

The House had never before adjourned before a bloc vote, prompting opposition MPs to question Azhar’s move.

The Supply (Relocation of Appropriated Expenditure) Bill 2020 was passed 111 to 106 when proceedings resumed. Five MPs were not present.

The bill is now being debated at the committee stage.

PN absentees during the vote were Tengku Razaleigh Tengku Mohd Hamzah (Gua Musang) and Maximus Ongkili (Kota Marudu), while those from the opposition were Mohd Shafie Apdal (Semporna), Christina Liew (Tawau) and Wilfred Madius Tangau (Tuaran).

The Sabah MPs, who also hold state seats, were busy with this morning’s court case, in which former chief minister Musa Aman is trying to get the decision on the dissolution of the state assembly overturned.

Debating the Supply Bill earlier, former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad called on the House to reject Putrajaya’s request for more money.

He said the government has spent irresponsibly by creating new cabinet posts at a time when Malaysians are suffering from the economic blow dealt by Covid-19.

Many lost their jobs during the movement-control order, said the Langkawi MP, adding that businesses are bleeding money and the government will not be able to collect much tax.

“In such a situation, the government should reduce its spending so that it won’t have a high deficit.

“But in this bill, the government plans to increase spending. This is irresponsible.”

Following the vote, Azhar told The Malaysian Insight that there is nothing controversial about the 10-minute break, pointing out that he made a similar call last Tuesday to give lawmakers time to make their way to the chamber.

“I did this during the August 11 sitting. It’s recorded in the Hansard.

“This is necessary as MPs who are in the new building, which is quite a distance from the Dewan, need time to get to the chamber.

“Also, the Covid-19 standard operating procedures allow only five people in a lift at one time.” – August 17, 2020.