PARLIAMENT has approved the 2022 budgets for the National Unity Ministry and Foreign Ministry by voice votes taken today. 

At the close of proceedings, the Dewan Rakyat approved a sum of RM447.9 million and RM868.5 million for the respective ministries.

Although there was some interest by MPs over the National Unity Ministry because of controversies involving the Malaysian Indian Transformation Unit (Mitra) which it oversees, there were no calls for division voting after its minister Halimah Mohamed Sadique promised an internal probe into alleged misappropriation of funds in Mitra.

There was also little controversy with the Foreign Ministry’s budget although questions were raised about Putrajaya’s recognition of Afghanistan’s Taliban government, and on the role of special envoys appointed.

During the debate, Hanipa Maidin (Sepang-PH) had asked the ministry to explain the roles played by Malaysia’s special envoys – appointments that have been criticised by the opposition as unnecessary and as rewards for government allies.

Malaysia has four special envoys – Abdul Hadi Awang (Middle East), Tiong King Sing (China), Richard Riot (East Asia) and SA Vigneswaran (South Asia).

Deputy Foreign Minister Kamarudin Jaafar (Bandar Tun Razak-PN), however, avoided answering Hanipa’s questions.

The Dewan Rakyat will continue debating the rest of the Supply Bill 2022 tomorrow at the committee stage, with the budgets for the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Primary Industries and Commodities, and the Ministry of Agriculture to come under scrutiny. – November 23, 2021.