DECEMBER 20 — The motion of confidence on Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was passed in the Dewan Rakyat today.
The vote of confidence surfaces after hours of debate, which was passed through voice vote. Vote of confidence is primarily to prove that the prime minister commands support of a two-third of the house.
Under SO46 of the Dewan Rakyat Standing Order, it states that:
- No member may speak to any question after the same has been fully put from the Chair.
- A question is fully put, when the Chair has collected the voice both of the and of the.
- When the question has been put by the Chair at the conclusion of the debate the votes shall be taken by voices Ayes and Noes and (provided that no member then claims a division) the result shall be declared by the Chair.
- If the opinion of the Chair as to the decision of a question is challenged by any member calling for a division, the Chair shall call upon members desiring a division to rise in their places. If less then fifteen members so rise, the Chair shall either declare the result forthwith or order a division.
- If fifteen or more members so rise, the Chair shall order a division, and shall, after such warning as he may consider necessary, appoint Tellers.
- In proceedings relating to amendments to the Constitution or in respect of delimitation of constituencies or in all other cases where the specified amount of votes are required, the Chair shall order a division.
Thus, as per parliamentary decorum, if 15 MP’s request for a recorded ballot on motion, then the Chair shall order a division. Otherwise, a voice vote is used as the default procedure by the Speaker or Deputy Speaker presiding over the meeting.
With that said, it is evidently proven that, either votes that take place are correct in process and procedure.
Hence, a motion of confidence that passes, nevertheless through voice vote or by ballot vote are both legitimate.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
