The Federal Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, which sought to limit the Prime Minister's tenure to a maximum of 10 years, was put to a vote in the Dewan Rakyat (Lower House of Parliament) on Monday but ultimately failed due to not securing the required two-thirds majority support. The list of 8 government bloc MPs who were absent has now been revealed.
According to political observer Jason Yew, all Pakatan Harapan MPs were present and voted in support of the bill. However, 8 MPs from the unity government bloc were reportedly absent during the vote.
The 8 absent backbencher MPs from the unity government bloc are: Bukit Gantang MP Dato' Syed Abu Hussin (an independent who declared support for the Prime Minister after leaving Bersatu), GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) Lawas MP Dato' Henry Sum Agong, independent Tenom MP Riduan Rubin, BN (Barisan Nasional) Sembrong MP Dato' Seri Hishammuddin, Libaran MP Dato' Suhaimi, Tapah MP Dato' Seri Saravanan, PBM (Parti Bangsa Malaysia) Ayer Hitam MP Steven Choong, and GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) Keningau MP Dato' Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
In response, PKR Subang MP Wong Chen stated that the bill’s failure to pass was a major blow to the Madani Government. He noted that this was an administrative failure because the government did not effectively track and ensure full attendance from all government MPs.
Wong Chen emphasized that although almost all Pakatan Harapan MPs were present, a constitutional amendment requires at least 148 MPs in support to pass. He stated that all PKR MPs were present and voted in favor, but the government needs to find out exactly how many MPs from its own coalition failed to attend.
On Monday (the 2nd), the Dewan Rakyat voting results showed only 146 MPs supported the constitutional amendment, 32 MPs were absent, and another 44 chose to abstain.
According to the Federal Constitution, any constitutional amendment must secure the support of at least two-thirds of MPs (i.e. 148 people) to be passed.
It is reported that the complete list of 32 absent MPs will be officially published in today’s release of the Hansard (parliamentary record) on the Parliament’s official website.
The 8 absent backbencher MPs from the unity government bloc are: Bukit Gantang MP Dato' Syed Abu Hussin (an independent who declared support for the Prime Minister after leaving Bersatu), GPS (Gabungan Parti Sarawak) Lawas MP Dato' Henry Sum Agong, independent Tenom MP Riduan Rubin, BN (Barisan Nasional) Sembrong MP Dato' Seri Hishammuddin, Libaran MP Dato' Suhaimi, Tapah MP Dato' Seri Saravanan, PBM (Parti Bangsa Malaysia) Ayer Hitam MP Steven Choong, and GRS (Gabungan Rakyat Sabah) Keningau MP Dato' Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
In response, PKR Subang MP Wong Chen stated that the bill’s failure to pass was a major blow to the Madani Government. He noted that this was an administrative failure because the government did not effectively track and ensure full attendance from all government MPs.
Wong Chen emphasized that although almost all Pakatan Harapan MPs were present, a constitutional amendment requires at least 148 MPs in support to pass. He stated that all PKR MPs were present and voted in favor, but the government needs to find out exactly how many MPs from its own coalition failed to attend.
On Monday (the 2nd), the Dewan Rakyat voting results showed only 146 MPs supported the constitutional amendment, 32 MPs were absent, and another 44 chose to abstain.
According to the Federal Constitution, any constitutional amendment must secure the support of at least two-thirds of MPs (i.e. 148 people) to be passed.
It is reported that the complete list of 32 absent MPs will be officially published in today’s release of the Hansard (parliamentary record) on the Parliament’s official website.