Parliament: Johari Calm When Winding Up Debate On Budget
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 13 (Bernama) -- The Dewan Rakyat sitting today saw Second Finance Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani keeping his cool in the face of non-stop questioning from opposition lawmakers for over three hours when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2018 at the policy level for his ministry.
Johari, who is also Titiwangsa Member of Parliament, was 'grilled' continuously by opposition MPs, including Mohd Rafizi Ramli (PKR-Pandan), Gobind Singh Deo (DAP-Puchong), Wong Chen (PKR-Kelana Jaya) and Khalid Samad (PKR-Shah Alam) on various issues including the Goods and Services Tax and toll charges.
The winding-up session by Johari which began about 3 pm also saw Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee and another Deputy Speaker, Datuk Seri Ismail Mohamed Said, taking turns to preside over the proceedings.
Throughout the entire session, Johari appeared at ease and calm while fielding off the questions thrown at him.
Pandikar Amin later returned to the Speaker's chair before the voting session was held about 6.50 pm which saw the Supply Bill 2018 at the policy stage being passed with a majority vote from the members of Parliament.
The Bill was passed with 107 of the lawmakers supporting it, while 59 rejected and 11 abstained.
The Bill which was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Oct 27, was debated for six days since Oct 30.
It was then wound up at the ministry stage for three days from Nov 8 before it was passed at the policy stage today.
The Supply Bill 2018 which seeks to allocate RM280.25 billion for development management and expenditure in the 2018 Budget is expected to be debated at the committee stage beginning tomorrow.
-- BERNAMA
