THE teller must make sure each MP is present before a division vote can proceed, said Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohd Rashid Hasnon.

He said the procedure was clearly outlined in Standing Order 47.

“According to Standing Order 47, the teller must ensure that all members of parliament are present and visible to him.

“The tellers will then jot down each MP’s vote in the relevant boxes on the given clipboard,” said Rashid, following a dispute over a miscount of votes in yesterday’s voting on the Finance Ministry’s budget during the committee stage.

The rules say the teller must ask each MP how he or she votes and record any abstentions.

Noor Amin Ahmad (Kangar-PH) pointed out the mistake today, which was blamed on teller Shabudin Yahaya (Tasek Gelugor-PN) who counted the votes for the government.

Rashid said Shabudin did not mean to make a mistale.

“He did not plan to deceive; he has apologised for his mistake,” Rashid said.

Shabudin said he had initially seen Nazri Aziz (Padang Rengas-BN) in the Dewan Rakyat but was unsure if he was present during the vote.

“I was certain of his presence. I had no intention of confusing the House. I apologize,” he said, stressing that his mistake was not intentional and that he did not mean to lie.

Several opposition MPs today demanded that Rashid punish Shabudin.

“Mr Speaker, a mistake has been made, just punish Tasek Gelugor,” said Mohamad Sabu (Kota Raja-PH).

“He (Shabudin) admitted that he made a mistake in Parliament, only a punishment would suffice. He saw Nazri in the canteen, then he said he (Nazri) was here. Just punish him already,” the Amanah president added.

Fuziah Salleh (Kuantan-PH) then rose to ask for assurances that the rules would be complied with, as the Dewan Rakyat determine the budget allocation for each of the 27 ministries at the committee level until December 15.

“Every teller must ask and should not make assumptions.

“If the teller (yesterday) for the Padang Rengas block made an assumption, how can we be sure that the rest of the tellers for other blocks on the government bench do not do the same,” she said. – December 1, 2020.