KUALA LUMPUR: Fahmi Fadzil has criticised opposition lawmakers for refusing to vote on the Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 at Dewan Rakyat on Tuesday (March 4).
The Communications Minister said the 57 MPs who abstained from voting on the Bill had showcased the Opposition’s apparent disinterest in separating the Parliament from political influence.
“Their decision to not vote at all is a deeply regrettable act because this Bill is the first step to elevate the dignity of Parliament itself and should have been welcomed by the Opposition.
“But instead, we saw that they failed miserably in their debates, which deviated far from what was being presented in the Bill.
“They themselves showed an attitude of not wanting to assist in ensuring that Parliament remains free,” he said in a press conference at Parliament on Tuesday.
Bloc voting for the Bill ended with it passing after 148 MPs voted in favour, 57 abstaining and 17 being absent, as announced by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul during the Dewan Rakyat session on Tuesday.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2025 will amend the Federal Constitution by including revisions to Articles 56 and 57 by inserting a new Clause (5A).
The new clause will ensure the Senate president and deputy president; as well as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker and Deputy Speaker, are not disqualified from office due to their Parliamentary Service Commission membership, given that they do not receive any remuneration or benefits.
The Amendment Bill also seeks to change Article 65 to allow the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to appoint Senate and Dewan Rakyat secretaries.
The Bill’s successful passing also paves the way for the highly anticipated Parliamentary Services Bill 2025 to be tabled and debated at the Dewan Rakyat.
During the Prime Minister’s Office briefing on Tuesday (March 4), Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim described the actions of the 57 Opposition MPs as betraying efforts to reform Parliament, according to Anwar’s senior press secretary Tunku Nashrul Abaidah.
“However, this is not surprising as it is the same group that prevented the Dewan Rakyat from sitting previously,” he said.
