What role did DAP and PKR voting patterns play in the motion’s defeat?

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DAP and PKR voting patterns were instrumental in the defeat of the motion concerning land reclamation projects.

The motion, which aimed to highlight public concerns regarding land reclamation, was ultimately defeated in the Penang Legislative Assembly. Out of the 40 assemblymen, 23 voted against the motion, 10 supported it, and five abstained. The Barisan Nasional (BN), holding 10 seats, knew the motion would be defeated and had tabled it to voice public discontent. However, the outcome was significantly influenced by unexpected voting behaviour from within the ruling coalition.
A single DAP assemblyman's support deviated from the party line.

Teh Yee Cheu, a DAP assemblyman for Tanjung Bungah, voted in favour of the motion. This support from within the DAP, which is part of the state government coalition, was not anticipated by BN. While this individual vote was a deviation, the overall impact of the DAP's stance was overshadowed by the actions of its coalition partner. Teh Yee Cheu has since issued an apology for his vote.
Five PKR assemblymen abstained, contributing to the motion's failure.

A significant bloc of five PKR assemblymen chose to abstain from voting on the motion. These assemblymen were Ong Chin Wen (Bukit Tengah), Dr Norlela Ariffin (Penanti), Lee Khai Loon (Machang Bubuk), Cheah Kah Peng (Kebun Bunga), and Dr T Jayabalan (Batu Uban). PKR holds 10 seats in the 40-seat assembly. While the remaining PKR assemblymen voted against the motion, the abstentions of these five members were crucial in the final tally, tipping the balance against the motion's passage.
The combined voting patterns resulted in a decisive defeat for the motion.

The defeat of the motion was a direct consequence of the voting outcome: 23 against, 10 for, and five abstentions. Had the five PKR assemblymen voted in favour, or even abstained less, the motion might have had a different fate. Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng suggested that if the motion had passed due to the support of the lone DAP assemblyman and the abstentions, a particular land reclamation project could have faced delays. This, he stated, would have incurred RM1 billion in compensation for the state government, potentially leading to bankruptcy. The voting patterns of DAP and PKR members, therefore, played a critical role in preventing this scenario.

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What role did DAP and PKR voting patterns play in the motion’s defeat?

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