Thrity-five out of 37 DAP MPs were present for the debate on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) on Monday night, DAP chief whip Anthony Loke has said.

In a statement, the DAP National Organising Secretary said the DAP MPs were in attendance up to the debate on presenting the Bill to a select committee, after which Gelang Patah MP Lim Kit Siang left before the vote on the Bill itself because he was feeling unwell.

“In fact, three of DAP MPs had debated the Bill wholeheartedly, that is Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh, Bukit Bendera MP Zairil Khir Johari and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo. Aside of that, Segambut MP Lim Lip Eng had also proposed a few amendments to the Bill,” he said.

The only two MPs who were absent were Bagan MP Lim Guan Eng and Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong, who are both in Australia for a prior engagement.

“As DAP whip, I wish to stress that DAP MPs are committed and serious about our duties and responsibilities to the people to defend their rights and interests in all matters pertaining to Parliament,” he added.

Twenty-six Pakatan Rakyat MPs had come under fire for being absent during the debate over the POTA, where the vote favoured the government 79 to 60. All 79 in support of the Bill were from Barisan Nasional.

-The Rocket