LETTER | Who says govt hasn't got the numbers?

LETTER | Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Sabah, Sarawak Affairs, and Special Functions) Wilson Ugak Kumbong then tabled a motion for proceedings not to adjourn until debates on the Renewable Energy (Amendment) Bill 2023 and the Sustainable Energy Development Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 were completed, there were empty seats on the government bloc.

These include the seats for Tambun (Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim), Bagan Datuk (Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi), Seremban, Kota Raja, Pulai, Kota Tinggi, Pengerang, Lembah Pantai, Pandan, Teluk Intan, Rembau, Kapit, Penampang, Santubong, Batu Gajah, and Sekijang (all cabinet ministers).

The opposition chief whip and Kota Bahru MP Takiyuddin Hassan, understandably, called for a bloc vote. The results were telling: 83 MPs agreed to proceed with the government’s business in the Order Paper, 52 opposed, 86 were absent, and one (Cameron Highlands) did not vote as he was the deputy speaker on duty.

If the “few government MPs” were excluded because they entered the House even after the door was closed, the ayes would have still overwhelmed the nays.

So, who says the government hasn’t got the numbers? And who set tongues wagging with the “126” post?

Incidentally, the empty seats on the opposition bloc include the seat for Larut (opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin).

The high number of empty seats (86) must be concerning. The leader of the House and the leader of the opposition must reign in their respective members. Government and opposition whips must “whip” members into attending the House.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.