The Water Services Industry Bill is finally passed after 2 days and a half of intense debate. It was a long-drawn and exhausting experience for many, including the Minister, opposition members and the large entourage of Ministry’s support staff.

Keng Yaik had to undergo a trying session, fending off the waves of verbal salvo from the small group of Opposition “bandits”.

The morning session started off with Kulasegaran (Ipoh Barat) and myself putting 20 amendments to the Bill.

The highlight was over an amendment to scrap provision 114(1) and 114(2) where the decision of the Minister shall be final and binding upon all persons and shall not be challenged, appealed, reviewed, quashed or question in any court.

Legal eagles from DAP, Kula, Kit Siang, Karpal and Po Kuan put up a strong case.

Such provision is clearly against the spirit of seperation of power in the Constitution and undermines the sovereignty of the Court.

A few Umno MPs spoke earlier that such power should not be given to the Minister. No MCA or Gerakan members speak a word on the matter.

Kit Siang said all MPs must vote with their conscience in such an important matter. He wanted to call for a division of votes under Standard Order 46(4). This is a parliamentary mean to record how each member vote, in contrast to the usual voice vote.

The catch is there must be 15 members supporting this call. At that time, there were only 14 Opposition members around.

PAS MP for Kubang Kerian, Salahuddin Ayub saved the day when he appeared in the nick of time.

The vote was 61 against 15 and the amendment motion was rejected. No MP from BN dare to vote with us, so much about voting with conscience that we read in the papers these few days.

At a press conference later, a reporter asked, “Why is the Opposition so united in this issue”?

The answer is obvious. It was a vote from our conscience. Disputed water bills passed
Beh Lih Yi
May 10, 06 9:26pm (more…)