From traffic delays to principled stands, several government MPs have explained their absence during Monday’s bloc vote on constitutional amendments to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure to two terms.
Julau MP Datuk Larry Sng said he was unable to reach the Dewan Rakyat in time after heading for several engagements outside Parliament earlier that day.
“By the time I got the call to return, it was only about three minutes before the voting. While I immediately rushed there, the traffic congestion did not make it possible,” said Sng when contacted yesterday.
Sng, however, expressed his support for the Bill, stressing that there were no elements of sabotage.
Keningau MP Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan also cited traffic reasons for missing the bloc vote.
“I went out to meet some people, but wasn’t able to get back on time due to the slow traffic. No other reason,” he said briefly.
In a social media post, Tenom MP Riduan Rubin said he was helping flood victims in his constituency late Monday night.
“Once this finished, I immediately rushed to Parliament this morning (March 3) to attend a meeting among Sabah MPs and senators to discuss the current status of Sabah’s 40% revenue rights,” he said in the post.
Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal said he intentionally abstained from voting as he supported Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership and wanted it to continue.
“The economy is doing well, and he is performing on the international front. Displeasure against the government would also see it falling, and possibly reflecting in a new Prime Minister as well,” he said.
Other government MPs absent during the vote were Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Tapah MP Datuk Seri M. Saravanan, Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir and Lawas MP Datuk Henry Sum Agong.
According to Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil, Suhaimi was absent because he was in the hospital, while Saravanan was attending prayers.
On Monday, the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2026 to limit the Prime Minister’s tenure limit to 10 years or two terms failed to receive a two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
A total of 146 MPs voted in favour, while 32 were absent and 44 abstained from voting.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Fahmi said the Bill can be brought back any time as Parliament is set to meet again in June and October this year.
“We can bring back this Bill anytime. Some issues raised by the Opposition will be addressed.
“This is an issue of good governance; capping the PM’s tenure means there are principles of accountability. This Bill should have been supported by all MPs,” he said after officiating the National Scams Response Centre launch at Menara 2 Cyberjaya.
