Miri: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Sarawak Secretary Alan Ling has called on Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) to explain why its Lawas MP, Datuk Henry Sum Agong, was absent during yesterday’s crucial parliamentary vote on limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure.
“During such an important moment, a ruling government MP has no valid excuse to be absent,” Ling said, noting that all PH MPs from Sarawak attended and supported the bill.
He highlighted that a total of eight MPs from the ruling coalition, including Henry, failed to turn up to cast their votes.
Ling, who is also DAP Sarawak Secretary, urged GPS chief Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to address the issue publicly, allowing the electorate to evaluate the absence.
“Tell the people the reason why he failed to come, let the electorates know the excuses and make an evaluation thereon,” he stressed.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026, tabled by Law and Institutional Reform Minister Azalina Othman Said on 23 February 2026, proposed a constitutional amendment to limit the tenure of the Prime Minister to a maximum of 10 years.
Despite support from all 40 DAP MPs, the bill fell short by two votes, with 146 MPs in favour, failing to secure the required two-thirds majority.
Ling described the outcome as disappointing, stressing the bill’s importance in advancing institutional reform during Anwar Ibrahim’s tenure.
