SINGAPORE - Ten Muslim parliamentarians broke fast together on Wednesday (May 8) in Parliament, with the session going overtime for the debate on the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Bill.
The Bill was passed at around 10.20pm on Wednesday after a marathon two-day debate, with 72 MPs saying "yes", nine Workers' Party MPs saying "no", and three Nominated MPs (NMPs) abstaining.
The session took place during the month of Ramadan, a time of fasting for Muslims.
People's Action Party MP for Jalan Besar GRC Yaacob Ibrahim posted a photo of the gathering on Facebook the next morning.
In the photo were Dr Yaacob and his fellow PAP MPs Mr Saktiandi Supaat, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Mr Zainal Sapari, Mr Amrin Amin, Ms Rahayu Mahzam, Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar.
WP MP Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap and NMP Mohamed Irshad, who voted "yes", were also at the gathering.
Calling the event the "first ever (of) its kind", Dr Yaacob remarked: "Perhaps we can come together for other meaningful activities."
Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Intan Azura Mokhtar said that aside from breaking fast, the MPs in the photo took a short break to do their Maghrib prayer together heading back into the chamber to rejoin the sitting for the Bill.
"Thank you to Professor Yaacob Ibrahim for treating us to Nasi Ambeng," she wrote in a Facebook post.
Ramadan began on May 5 this year, and Hari Raya Puasa falls on June 5.
