THE Dewan Rakyat has approved three more ministry budgets today, making it 11 out of 27 ministries whose allocations have been endorsed at the committee stage.

Approved today was a RM1.2 billion budget for the International Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti), RM1.15 billion for the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry and RM548 million for the Entrepreneurship and Cooperatives Ministry. 

Apart from a RM400 million reduction for Miti, the other two ministries saw marginal increases in their annual operations and development budget for 2021.

First to be approved was Miti’s budget which was passed, with 110 government lawmakers voting for against 104 opposition members.

Six parliamentarians were absent.

The opposition called for division voting as it did not agree with some of the Apec expenses.

The reduction for Miti is due to the expenses for Apec 2020, which was already accounted for in Budget 2020.

The other 2 ministries were passed with a voice vote.

The Dewan Rakyat will continue the committee stage or ministry budget debates next Monday with the Works, Transport and Science, Technology and Innovation Ministries. – December 3, 2020.