PETALING JAYA: Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman apologised to supporters who felt disappointed over the decision made by a vast majority of opposition MPs in opting against an individual vote for the passing of the 2021 budget at the policy stage yesterday.
“I cannot speak on behalf of the other MPs, but I personally believe, in hindsight, that what happened was wrong and I want to apologise,” he said in an interview with BFM radio today.
Syed Saddiq explained the decision saying there was a last-minute instruction to not push for bloc voting against the budget, which led to confusion among opposition MPs.
“There was a lot of confusion and a lack of direction yesterday.
“This is why, when they named the 13 MPs, the list kept changing because many stood up but then proceeded to sit down again.”
He still believed the opposition parties should have opted for bloc voting.
“Even if we lose, it is still our duty to vote,” he said.
Syed Saddiq hoped opposition MPs will be more coordinated at the committee stage debate on the budget from Monday.
“We need to make sure this is not repeated again.”
The federal budget was passed at the policy stage in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday after the majority of MPs present supported it through a voice vote.
However, Amanah’s Mahfuz Omar, who was unhappy with the voice vote, stood up requesting for a bloc vote but the move was unsuccessful with only 12 other MPs supporting him. The minimum requirement is 15.