Government spokesman says absent backbench MPs must explain to voters and party whips after key vote fails, while opposition’s abstention is noted.
CYBERJAYA: Backbench MPs who missed yesterday’s vote to cap the Prime Minister’s tenure at 10 years must answer to their voters and party whips, said government spokesman Datuk Fahmi Fadzil (pic).
He said attendance was expected because the Chief Whip, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, had instructed all government MPs to be there.
“It’s important for government MPs to be present and show support. Those who weren’t there should explain to the people they represent.
“We don’t mind if opposition MPs were absent, some of them have very low attendance. But for backbench MPs, we must be present,” Fahmi told reporters after officiating the National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) launch at Menara 2 Cyberjaya on Tuesday (March 3).
Fahmi, who is also the Communications Minister, said checks with the Speaker’s Office showed that all Pakatan Harapan MPs were present, while absences were recorded among government MPs: three from Barisan Nasional, one each from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS), one from Parti Bangsa Malaysia, and two from PAS.
He added that Libaran MP Datuk Suhaimi Nasir was absent due to hospitalisation, while Tapah MP Datuk Seri M. Saravanan was attending prayers.
“It’s just that Bukit Gantang MP Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal gave an unusual answer,” Fahmi added, referring to Syed Abu’s explanation that he was absent because he disagreed with capping the Prime Minister’s tenure.
At the same time, Fahmi said the Opposition’s refusal to vote on the constitutional amendment sends a signal that they want Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to continue serving as Prime Minister.
“For that, we say thank you to the Opposition,” he added.
Fahmi said the bill can be reintroduced at any time, with Parliament scheduled to meet again in June and October.
“I believe that if the Opposition really understands, maybe we can keep engaging them. This is an issue of good governance, capping the PM’s tenure ensures accountability. This bill should have been supported by all MPs,” he said.
On Monday, the Constitutional (Amendment) Bill 2026, which proposed limiting the Prime Minister to two terms, failed to achieve the required two-thirds majority in the Dewan Rakyat.
A total of 146 MPs voted in favor, 32 were absent, and 44 abstained.
The Sun Malaysia
