The Dewan Negara last night passed the Supply Bill 2016 after much debate by approximately 20 senators since Dec 7.

The bill was passed at 10.10pm before Dewan Negara deputy president Doris Sofia Brodi.

Earlier, the bill was tabled for the third reading by Deputy Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani and was seconded by Deputy Urban Wellbeing,Housing and Local Government Minister Halimah Mohd Sadique.

The bill was tabled in Dewan Rakyat by Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is also finance minister, on Oct 23 and was passed at the policy stage on Nov 16.

It was then debated for another nine days from Nov 17 at the committee stage before it was finally passed by the Dewan Rakyat before deputy speaker Ronald Kiandee.

The bill seeks to provide a budget of RM267.22 billion for government expenditure next year.

The Dewan Negara sitting continues tomorrow.

- Bernama