Abstain with Comments?

The summary of voting on DIS 29500 also known as "Information technology - Office Open XML file formats" or "JTC 1 N 8726" or "Ecma Office Open XML" or "Ecma 376" or most accurately "Microsoft Office OpenXML" (MSOOXML) is located at this page: "ISO/IEC JTC1/ SC34 N0904." The parent page "ISO/IEC / JTC 1 / SC34 Document Repository 901-950" lists all the files associated with the vote. Here is the direct link to the zipped file "0904.zip" of all the comments submitted by the contributing National Bodies (NBs) attached with the votes on MSOOXML held on the 2nd of September 2007.

What is interesting in the zip file, is that, if you can decipher the coding of the files, you will find an entry from Malaysia! [Many thanks to Simon Xenitellis with his cheat sheet]  The doc file in the zip is called "J1N8726-13.doc." Looks like Malaysia actually had a contribution to this process!

Unfortunately the "Member Body" (MB) column of the file is left empty. It is an oversight during the preparation of the document, as it can be confirm that this is the same file created by SIRIM and submitted to ISO on the 2nd of September.

Although Malaysia's decision and justification has not been officially announced by SIRIM, through various sources and via ISO, we have found out that Malaysia voted to "Abstain" despite the recommendations of both its technical committees in voting "Disapprove with comments".

This new information means that Malaysia is probably one of the rare countries who voted "Abstain with comments"!

It is great that the Malaysian TC's hard work in reviewing the poorly drafted MSOOXML spec has not been lost with the "Abstention" decision, and I am personally gratified that Malaysia does have something to contribute. However her tepid vote to ISO may rule her out of the Ballot Resolution Meeting (BRM) to be held in February 2008!

Although Malaysia is a normal 'P' (Permanent) member, it is not a 'P' member in SC 34. The current membership lists all the newly promoted 'P' countries like Ivory Coast, Romania, Egypt, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Malta, etc. ... but Malaysia is not listed.

Members who voted "Disagree" on the last ballot would have to be represented in the February 2008 BRM. What about members who voted "Abstain with comments?". It is clear that Malaysia submitted comments which need to be addressed by Ecma, so are we allowed to ensure that Malaysia's interests are kept? After all, countries who have abstained can change their votes to a full "Approval" or "Disapproval" at the BRM.

Countries like Greece have this clause in their vote:

If the Ballot Resolution Group fails to resolve satisfactorily the issues, then ELOT will reconsider its position and may cast a vote of disapproval during the BRG meeting(s) according to article 13.8 of the JTC1 directives, or may even appeal to the final adoption of the Standard.

 

Is Malaysia's abstention conditional as well? If Ecma does not show any effort in appeasing us Malaysians, should Malaysia then default to a "Disagree" vote?

I guess this is something which needs to be clarified by SIRIM, ISO or Microsoft, whoever is running the show now.

yk.

Comments

[Wu MingShi]

I cannot believe SIRIM is so shoddy that it forgotten to put country code in the MB column!

One sad thing with voting "No with comments" is that one have to send representative to the BRM. This means that NB will be more biased to say "Yes" or "Abstain" when the standard is on the borderline of acceptable (OOXML is clearly in the No tray"). I think that needs changing, because if I don't send a representative, it means my vote is a "No" and I don't see a chance of changing it.

Having said that, I will also say NB is neglecting its duty if it did not vote "No" because it did not want to send a rep. With such controversy, it's time where NB should stand up and be counted.