Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Hannah Yeoh had just finished wrapping up her ministry’s debate on the budget when the vote was called.

Dewan Rakyat Speaker Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof called for a voice vote but several opposition MPs stood up to say they wanted bloc voting because of their bigger number.

This would have allowed them to reject the ministry’s budget for next year.

The speaker than rang the bell to carry out the bloc voting. At this point, several PH MPs were seen entering the house.

The opposition members, including Noraini Ahmad (BN-Parit Sulong) and Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim (BN-Baling), were clearly unhappy with the last-minute appearance of some of the PH MPs.

After the vote was taken, Ariff announced that 32 MPs were in favour of the ministry’s budget while 28 were against it.

The opposition MPs caused a minor uproar, insisting that those who were not there from the start should not have been allowed to vote.

“Close the doors, don’t let them come in,” shouted Noraini.

Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (BN-Lenggong) said the opposition wanted to teach PH a lesson. “This is to teach them to be more disciplined and attend the sittings,” he said. Noraini added that it was a reminder to them not to be “lazy”.

By this time, more PH MPs had walked in, and a final count showed 45 MPs saying “aye” to the ministry’s 2020 budget against 28 “nays” from the opposition side.

Five days ago, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had questioned the MPs’ commitment which resulted in a lack of quorum in the Dewan Rakyat.

He said it was not the first time that it had happened and he would talk to the MPs on it.