Speaker asks Tasek Gelugor MP for explanation over miscalculation blunder

KUALA LUMPUR: Tasek Gelugor MP Datuk Shabudin Yahaya has been asked to provide an explanation for his miscalculation blunder earlier this week.

In a letter, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun (pic) had asked Shabudin to explain and provide supporting documents or evidence that will support his explanation over the fiasco that took place on Monday (Nov 30).

Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil had initially written a letter on Tuesday (Dec 1) to Azhar to cite Shabudin to the Rights and Privileges Committee for taking into account the vote by Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

Nazri, who is the Padang Rengas MP, was not present during the bloc voting process on the allocations for the Finance Ministry on Monday.

"YB Lembah Pantai considers the incident as a disrespect to the Dewan Rakyat under Standing Order 36(12).

"As such YB (Shabudin) would need to provide an explanation on this and provide evidence or supporting documents for the explanation," read the letter by Azhar.

Earlier in the day, Fahmi had submitted a motion under Standing Order 18 (12) to cite Shabudin to the Rights and Privileges Committee.

However, Azhar had rejected it.

Azhar had explained that the motion was rejected as Shabudin had admitted to his mistake and also apologised to the House on Tuesday (Dec 1) for the incident.

"I have also made an announcement in the Dewan Rakyat on the matter and improvement measures on the bloc voting process is also being implemented to avoid the repeat of such incidents.

"Therefore, after reading the content of the motion filed by YB (Fahmi Fadzi), I find that it is one that does not need to be expedited. As such I am rejecting the motion in chambers," said Azhar in his earlier letter to Fahmi.

Fahmi had filed a motion against Shabudin after the latter had admitted that he had accidentally marked Nazri as voting but it was later discovered that Nazri was not present for the bloc voting called on Monday (Nov 30).

On Tuesday (Dec 1), Deputy Speaker Datuk Mohamad Rashid Hasnon, who announced on behalf of Azhar, the correction in the result of the bloc voting, which resulted in one vote less for the number of MPs who voted for the Finance Ministry.

The decision of the bloc voting also remained the same.

However, the announcement caused an uproar as Opposition MPs demanded for a recount and transparency in the bloc voting process.

Shabudin, who was present in the House was then asked to provide an explanation, where the lawmaker admitted to his mistake.

However the Tasek Gelugor MP denied claims that his mistake was done on purpose.