KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat approved the 2021 Budget allocation for the Housing and Local Government Ministry at the committee level today.
The RM5.368 billion allocation was passed after bloc voting where 106 MPs approved, 96 rejected and 18 were absent.
The Lower House was given 10 minutes before the bloc vote for the ministry's 2021 Budget allocation.
Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said instructed for a bloc vote following a motion by Sungai Petani member of parliament Datuk Johari Abdul which received support from 15 MPs in accordance with Standing Order 46.
This the 19th ministry to receive approval on the 2021 Budget allocation at the committee level. There are eight ministries whose budgets are left to be debated in the Lower House.
Earlier, Zuraida presented her winding-up speech to the Dewan Rakyat.
Before the bloc voting, the lawmakers also failed to cut down the RM8.6 million allocation for her ministry's non-government organisation, Penggerak Komuniti Tempatan (PeKT).
The motion was presented by four MPs comprising Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai), Hassan Abdul Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang), Datuk Seri Wilfred Madius Tangau (Upko-Tuaran) and Chang Lih Kang (PH-Tanjong Malim).
Both sides of the political divide criticised the organisation which comprises volunteers from Zuraida's party, Bersatu, and suggested the allocation could instead be used for the public and frontliners affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Zuraida said PeKT was crucial in empowering communities, especially those residing in low-cost housing areas in adjusting to post-pandemic life and practising the new normal.