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KUALA LUMPUR: There was an uproar in the House on Tuesday (December 1), as lawmakers demanded a recount after a miscalculation came to light during the block vote for the Finance Ministry on Monday (December 30). November).
Vice President of Vice President Datuk Mohamad Rashid Hasnon read an announcement that an additional vote was taken into account during the bloc’s voting session on Monday.
“I received information that YB Tasek Gelugor (Datuk Shabudin Yahaya), who was in charge of counting the votes of House Block C, had accidentally marked the vote of YB Padang Rengas (Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz), but it was later discovered that he (Nazri) was not present in the second vote of the bloc.
“So I would like to point out that the number of MPs who were absent during the block vote by the Finance Ministry is 19 instead of 18.
“The number of deputies who voted for the Ministry of Finance is now reduced by one vote to 106.
“The number of MPs who voted against the ministry is still 95,” Mohd Rashid said.
He said that Dewan Rakyat Chairman Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun had ordered the number of votes to be corrected, however the decision of the block vote remains the same.
However, this caused chaos as opposition lawmakers demanded a recount and transparency in the bloc voting process.
Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Ind-Muar) stood up in protest, saying that it is serious business for miscalculating votes during Monday’s bloc vote as he urged the president to ensure this mistake does not reoccur. occur.
“I hope there is a way for this,” he said on Tuesday (December 1).
To this, Mohd Rashid said that there is a check and a balance, but that it was delayed a bit.
“YB Kangar had raised this matter with the Spokesperson and we have now announced the necessary changes,” Mohd Rashid said.
RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) said that action should be taken against Shabudin as it is an act of deception.
Rayer and Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) also supported Syed Saddiq, as they reiterated their demands to ensure that such mistakes do not occur later.
“Everyone is watching this procedure live. Please don’t turn off our microphones and silence us on this matter.
“At least ask him (Shabudin) to explain how you can count a person who was absent.
“Do you need to give an explanation on how you can take the vote of a deputy who was absent?” Rayer said.
There was a shouting match with some MPs who said Azhar was the former chairman of the Electoral Commission, so he should not allow “pengundi hantu” (ghost voters) in the House.
Rashid then relented and asked Shabudin to provide an explanation, where MP Tasik Gelugor admitted his mistake.
“I was there during the vote count. A few minutes before that (the count started) I saw Padang Rengas. Maybe he wasn’t there that time.
But I was sure he was there. I admit it was a mistake but it was not on purpose, ”he said, before being interrupted by several unknown opposition MPs who stood up and intervened.
“Shut up and sit down. I have no intention of lying to the House or doing something that is against the Rules.
“I have already sincerely reported this matter to the Speaker. I did not hide it. I apologize, spokesperson. But don’t accuse me of lying, “Shabudin said.
Rashid then thanked Shabudin for apologizing and said that if opposition MPs are still dissatisfied, they can officially write to the Office of the President to complain.
However, despite Shabudin’s apology, opposition MPs still stood up in protest, drawing Mohd Rashid’s ire when the vice president pointed out that Pakatan Harapan had made the same mistake in 2017 after miscalculating. the votes for the Pakatan bloc at that time.
“He apologized and this is part of our records,” Mohd Rashid said.
Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh stood up and cited Standing Orders 47 (1) and 47 (2) on the rules for block voting.
“It is understood that each vote counter cannot make assumptions. If the government-side vote counter can make assumptions, how can we be convinced that the next vote counter will not do the same? “she questioned.
“Nor can we use a past precedent. Because during that time, our majority is different. The current government currently has a majority of two votes ”.
In November 2017, the former deputy for Kapar G. Manivannan resigned as secretary of the PKR, after he did not sign the vote of other deputies of the DAP during the block vote on a ministry on the 2018 Budget.
In a subsequent press conference, Syed Saddiq said that a recount must be held to ensure the protection of Parliament’s legitimacy.
“If drastic measures are not taken, we are not convinced that it will not happen in the future. This is wrong and must be corrected,” he said.
Hannah Yeoh (PH-Segambut) said that the Spokesperson should immediately provide an explanation on the next steps to be taken to ensure transparency in the future.
“Otherwise, we will continue to question the outcome of future block votes,” he said.
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