Libaran MP in hospital, Saravanan was attending prayers, says Fahmi

The government's spokesman explains absence of some MPs at yesterday's vote to limit the prime minister's tenure.

Fahmi said Tapah MP M Saravanan was also absent from yesterday’s sitting as he had to attend prayers. “I understand that the Libaran MP was in hospital, while the Tapah MP had informed us that he was attending some prayers,” he said at a press conference today.

The Dewan Rakyat failed to pass a constitutional amendment to limit the prime minister’s tenure to a maximum of 10 years after the vote fell short of the required two-thirds majority yesterday evening.

In the bloc vote, 146 MPs supported the bill, 44 abstained and 32 were absent. It needed at least 148 votes to meet the two-thirds majority required for a constitutional amendment.

It was later reported that eight MPs from the government bloc were absent, while all Pakatan Harapan MPs were present and backed the bill.

Apart from Suhaimi and Saravanan, the other absentees were Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong), Larry Sng (Julau), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Henry Sum Agong (Lawas), Riduan Rubin (Tenom) and former Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau).

Last night, Sng told FMT that he was unable to return to Parliament in time to vote for the bill because he was stuck in traffic, while Syed Hussin said he chose not to attend as he disagreed with the proposed law.

Fahmi said of the eight absentees, three were from Barisan Nasional, one each from Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and two independents.

“All provided their reasons (for not attending), but they need to explain themselves to the public, their respective party whips and to the chief whip.

“Because the duty and responsibility of an MP is to be in Parliament when it is in session.”

He also said the chief whip for the government bloc, Fadillah Yusof, had asked the respective party whips about the absentees.

“And I saw his expression, he seemed a little disappointed that the eight MPs did not turn up.”

Fahmi, however, said the bill could be re-tabled, adding that despite yesterday’s failure to get it passed, it had no “implication whatsoever on the government or the administration”.

He also said some MPs from the opposition and the government had remarked that the failure to get the bill passed meant they wanted Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to continue beyond 10 years.

“But this isn’t what the prime minister wants,” he said.