Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan has explained his absence from the Dewan Rakyat when they voted on the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) bill yesterday.
Ahmad (above) claimed he was assured that the bill to extend Sosma’s detention without trial provision would not have come to a vote, so he left.
“When (Home Minister) Hamzah Zainuddin was wrapping up (the debate), I left. And when I left, I asked two-three officers whether there would be a vote.
“They answered that there won’t be a vote since the (Putrajaya-Pakatan Harapan) memorandum of understanding had been signed,” he told Malaysiakini.
Ahmad (BN-Pontian) said he didn't stick around as he had to attend a meeting on his child's upcoming wedding this Sunday.
Ahmad was among several government backbenchers who were absent during the Sosma vote yesterday.
Malaysiakini understands that Harapan had relayed to some backbenchers that they planned to call for a bloc vote on the bill.
The bill ended up being defeated 84-86.
Besides Ahmad, two other Umno leaders, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datuk) and Najib Abdul Razak (BN-Pekan) were also among those absent.
Meanwhile, three government MPs, including Communications and Multimedia Minister Annuar Musa were reportedly disqualified from voting as they entered the Dewan Rakyat late.
Ahmad and other Umno leaders are now claiming that Harapan had violated its MOU with the government by voting against the Sosma bill.
This is despite the MOU only requiring Harapan support or abstaining on budget bills, votes of confidence, or bills that have been brought into consultation with the opposition coalition.
The MOU also allowed Harapan to continue carrying out its functions as a check and balance to the government. - Mkini
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