Transparency International Malaysia has called for Parliament to publish the attendance records of MPs following the failure to pass a bill limiting the prime minister’s tenure.
Push for greater accountability
TI-M president Raymon Ram urged the daily release of these records.
He said the records should clearly indicate whether an MP was absent with or without leave.
This measure, he added, would ensure MPs remain accountable, particularly during critical votes on constitutional amendments, supply bills, and confidence motions.
Raymon also proposed that Parliament require MPs to submit written reasons for absences during key votes, with these explanations made public.
He stressed that unjustified absenteeism should carry proportionate consequences.
These could include referral to the rights and privileges committee, financial penalties, and party-level disciplinary action.
“When reform proposals of this magnitude fall short, attendance and participation by MPs become matters of constitutional seriousness, not political convenience,” he said in a statement.
“Regardless of political affiliation, absence without clear justification during critical votes erodes democratic accountability, undermines institutional reform, and weakens public confidence in Parliament as the nation’s highest law-making institution.”
Details of the failed vote
On Monday, the Dewan Rakyat failed to pass the constitutional amendment to limit the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years.
The bill fell two votes short of the 148 required for a two-thirds majority.
Forty-four MPs abstained while 32 were absent, including eight from the government side.
Government spokesman Fahmi Fadzil explained that Libaran MP Suhaimi Nasir was in hospital while Tapah MP M Saravanan had to attend prayers.
The other absentees were Hishammuddin Hussein (Sembrong), Larry Sng (Julau), Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abdul Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Henry Sum Agong (Lawas), Riduan Rubin (Tenom), and former Sabah deputy chief minister Jeffrey Kitingan (Keningau).
Sng told FMT he could not return to Parliament in time due to traffic, while Syed Hussin said he deliberately stayed away because he disagreed with the proposed amendment.
