LAWMAKERS have taken the speaker to task for miscalculating the division vote for the Finance Ministry’s budget at committee stage yesterday.

Deputy Speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon announced today that yesterday’s vote had been “miscounted”.

“I have been informed that Nazri Aziz (Padang Rengas-BN) was not in the Dewan Rakyat for the count and hence the result has been revised to 106 yeas and 95 nays for the MOF budget at committee stage,” said the Batu Pahat MP.

“This changes nothing and the result still stands.”

Rashid said Amin Ahmad (Kangar-PH) pointed out the error.

Irate opposition MPs Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman (Muar-Ind) and RSN Rayer (Jelutong-PH) questioned the house system for counting votes. Hannah Yeoh (Segambut-PH), Mahfuz Omar (Pokok Sena-PH) and Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai-PH) were the others who stood up to demand an explanation.

Shabudin said it was unintentional.

“I saw Padang Rengas in the Dewan Rakyat before the vote but he told me today that he wasn’t there yesterday during the vote

“I’m sure he was there earlier. I had no intention to mislead parliament. I have apologised. Don’t accuse me of lying. I have already informed the speaker,” said Shahbudin.

Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun presided over the vote yesterday. Azhar was previously the Election Commission chairman. – December 1, 2020.

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