TTF: Dato’ Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is right.
There is no version of this where absent BN lawmakers can come out on top (see news item below). Last Monday, the ruling coalition almost lost the budget vote when several of its MPs took for granted the trust vested in them and stayed away from Parliament.
Now, how embarrassing can that be?
If these MPs are of the opinion that the trust vested in them by their constituents can be taken for granted, they should refrain from contesting during the 14th general election (GE14) and make way for better deserving candidates.
For the sake of the people, I sincerely hope we do not see a repeat of this episode, as the voice of our MPs is vital in shaping the nation and preventing it from falling prey to people like Dr Mahathir Mohamed and Lim Kit Siang who are out to undermine our democracy.
KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) is taking internal action on its lawmakers who went missing during the Budget 2018 voting last Monday.
Its parliamentary whip Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the narrow one-vote win served as a wake-up call for the ruling coalition and the issue has been addressed seriously.
“I have already advised them they should be more serious in attending the sessions.
“I have already reminded them to be around. Some domestic action we have taken, of course (on) absent MPs,” he told reporters when met at the sidelines of an event in Parliament today.
However, Ahmad Zahid who is also deputy prime minister was pleased that despite ruckus during the bloc voting, the government secured the win while wrapping up the debate on the Supply Bill’s portion for the Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry at the committee stage.
“The important thing is we won,” he added.
The Bill was approved with 52 MPs in favour and 51 against; two abstained from voting.
Adapted from: The Malay Mail Online
