Run MP... Run... (in Parliment)

Even Pak Lah was running. Well at least for a long time he wasn't late... Najib arrived 5 minutes later than him ;)

For whom the bell tolls (taken from The Star)

PANIC reigned in the Parliament lobby as the bell rang – for the first time in a long while – at 11.45am.

Ministers and other MPs rushed into the Dewan when quorum was called for a block voting.

Some Opposition MPs, who had been talking to the press in the lobby, also quickly made their way in.

Jaws dropped as Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, accompanied by his retinue of bodyguards, strode quickly from his office in the Parliament tower towards the Dewan.

He was followed by his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak about five minutes later.

The block voting, on an item in the Supplementary Supply Bill, saw it being passed at 92 votes with 60 against. One person did not vote.

Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said he was in Dewan Negara waiting for a question on his portfolio to be fielded when he heard the bell.

“I had to rush out. I have to divide my time between the two Houses and I have overlapping duties. The Opposition should not do this,” he said.

At the Parliament lobby, PKR chief whip Azmin Ali said the voting was a moral victory for the Opposition.

“It is the first time you see the Prime Minister running into the Dewan,” said Azmin, adding that there were only about 10 Barisan MPs in the Dewan when the block voting was called.

I am pissed :@ Serves them right... you think you can skip from your duties. When you are suppose to vote, sit your ass there and vote... don't la ponteng. Nampak sangat masa sekolah selalu ponteng!!! More about the incident below (taken from The Star).

Barisan MPs rush into Dewan

BARISAN Nasional MPs, including the Prime Minister and his deputy, rushed into the Dewan to vote on an item under the Supplementary Supply (2007) Bill 2008 when the Chair called for block voting to replace the usual method – by voice.

Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah had wound up the debate on allocations for statutory funds under the Bill when Deputy Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar called for a voice vote to approve the allocation.

When Wan Junaidi held that the allocation was approved, several Opposition MPs stood to complain that the voices of those who rejected the item were louder than those who agreed.

“It doesn’t matter if there are louder voices or not. We cannot accept this result,” Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR – Ampang) said.

Tian Chua (PKR – Batu) agreed, saying that there was hardly any difference in the voices.

Wan Junaidi replied that a voice vote was acceptable in Parliament and that there was no need for further debate on the matter.

However, the Opposition MPs, who were still unhappy, urged Wan Junaidi to make a ruling.

The Deputy Speaker then said that at least 15 MPs must be in the Dewan to support the move for a division of votes, to which more than 20 Opposition MPs stood up.

The bell then rang and MPs rushed into the Chambers. The counting of votes was then called.

Minister in charge of parliamentary affairs Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz was seen outside calling the Barisan MPs, who were in the lobby, to enter the House.

After Wan Junaidi closed the counting process, Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein walked in with his briefcase amid shouts from the Opposition MPs, booing him with remarks of “sudah tutup” (voting closed) while the votes were being tallied.

Wan Junaidi then announced that the number of those who agreed to pass part of the Bill was 92 votes while 60 disagreed. There was one abstention.

I applaud the Opposition MP's. Let's get the Government MP on their toes. Funny enough... I saw Hishammuddin in the news saying the government is strong and this tactic by the Opposition will not work... bla bla bla. Yeah... yeah... you are still late though... so shut it :@ . Bloody hell... please show some good example... for crying out loud, you are the Education Minister. Students... don't follow him... suka ponteng.