Shouting match in Parliament over miscalculation on Monday's (Nov 30) bloc voting

KUALA LUMPUR: There was an uproar in the House on Tuesday (Dec 1), as lawmakers demanded a recount after a miscalculation during the bloc voting done for the Finance Ministry on Monday (Nov 30) came to light.

Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Rashid Hasnon read out an announcement that an extra vote was taken into account during the bloc voting session on Monday.

"I received information that YB Tasek Gelugor (Datuk Shabudin Yahaya), who was in charge of the vote counts from block C of the House, had accidentally marked YB Padang Rengas' (Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz) vote, but it was later found that he (Nazri) was not present for the second bloc voting.

"So, I would like to note that the number of MPs who were absent during the bloc voting for the Finance Ministry is 19 instead of 18.

"The number of MPs who voted for the Finance Ministry is now reduced by one vote to 106.

"The number of MPs who voted against the ministry remains at 95," said Mohd Rashid.

He said Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun had ordered for the numbers of votes to be corrected, however the decision of the bloc voting remains the same.

This, however, caused chaos as Opposition lawmakers demanded for a recount and transparency in the bloc voting process.

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Ind-Muar) stood up in protest, saying it is a serious matter for miscalculating the votes during Monday’s bloc voting, as he urged the Speaker to ensure that this error does not happen again.

"I hope there will be a way for this," he said on Tuesday (Dec 1).

To this, Mohd Rashid said there is a check and balance, but it was just a little delayed.

"YB Kangar had brought up this matter to the Speaker and we have now announced the necessary changes," said Mohd Rashid.

RSN Rayer (PH-Jelutong) said action is to be taken against Shabudin, as this was an act of deceit.

Rayer and Kasthuri Patto (PH-Batu Kawan) also stood up in support of Syed Saddiq, as they reiterated their demands to ensure such errors does not occur later.

“Everyone is watching this proceeding live. Please don’t shut our microphones and silence us from this matter.

“At least ask him (Shabudin) to explain, how can he count a person who was absent.

"He needs to provide an explanation on how he can take the vote from an MP who was absent?" said Rayer.

A shouting match ensued with some MPs saying Azhar was the former Election Commission chairman, as such he should not allow "pengundi hantu" (phantom voters) in the House.

Rashid then relented and asked Shabudin to provide an explanation, where the Tasik Gelugor MP admitted to his mistake.

“I was there during the counting of votes. A few minutes before that (counting begun) I saw Padang Rengas. Maybe he wasn’t there that time.

“But I was confident that he was there. I admit it was a mistake but it was not on purpose, ” he said, before he was interrupted by several unknown Opposition MPs who stood up and interjected.

“Keep quiet and sit down. I have no intention to lie to the House or do something that is against the Standing Orders.

“I have already informed this matter sincerely to the Speaker. I did not hide it. I apologise, Speaker. But, don’t accuse me of lying," said Shabudin.

Rashid then thanked Shabudin for apologising, saying if Opposition MPs are still dissatisfied, they can officially write in to the Speaker’s Office to complain.

However, despite Shabudin’s apology, Opposition MPs still stood up in protest, which drew Mohd Rashid’s ire as the deputy speaker pointed out that Pakatan Harapan had made the same mistake in 2017 after miscalculating votes for the Pakatan bloc during then.

“He apologised and this is part of our records, ” said Mohd Rashid.

Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh then stood up as she cited Standing Orders 47(1) and 47(2) on the rules for bloc voting.

“It is understood that each vote counter cannot make assumptions. If the vote counter on the government side can make assumptions, how can we be convinced that the next vote counter won't do the same?” she questioned.

“We also cannot use a past precedent. Because during then, our majority is different. The government of the day currently has a majority of two votes.”

In Nov 2017, former Kapar MP G. Manivannan resigned as the PKR secretary whip, after he failed to sign off on a fellow DAP MPs vote during the bloc vote on a ministry on Budget 2018.

At a press conference later, Syed Saddiq said that a recount must be done to ensure the legitimacy of Parliament is protected.

"If there is no drastic action 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 the Speaker must immediately provide an explanation on the next measures to be taken to ensure transparency in the future.

"Or else we will continue to question the outcome of future bloc votings," she said.