KOTA KINABALU – There are political undercurrents to unseat Perikatan Nasional, with Budget debate sessions among the strategies employed, said Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan.
Speaking to The Vibes today, the Keningau MP said the opposition bloc’s recent display in the Dewan Rakyat is part of an “ambush” to oust the sitting government.
He did not deny the ongoing power play between lawmakers from both camps during the Budget debate.
“We know it is not just during the Budget sessions. Even right now, they are trying to ambush the current government.”
Talk has been rife about a Pakatan Harapan leader engaging in discussions with a PN politician to undermine the present administration.
This follows opposition leader and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s claim on September 23 to have a “strong, formidable and convincing” majority in Parliament.
It triggered Umno’s demands for more positions from Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, including the post of deputy prime minister.
This is in addition to several no-confidence motions filed by MPs against Muhyiddin.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun has ruled that only a minister can expedite such a motion, as government business comes first in the House.
Jeffrey said the opposition is just waiting for the time when its MPs outnumber the government’s – a reason why the deputy chief minister in the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah state administration has been postponing his return home when the Dewan Rakyat is in session.
Asked about the absence of Parti Warisan Sabah MPs from bloc votes on Monday, he said: “They must have their reasons (for not voting).”
Eight Warisan lawmakers have come under fire for not turning up in the Dewan Rakyat for two key votes on Budget 2021.
Party whip and Labuan MP Datuk Rozman Isli said their absence was deliberate, and to send a signal to Anwar and PH that a new leadership is desired.
“We are tired of what is going on with the opposition bloc. For now, the decision is, we don’t want to join the bloc vote,” he was quoted as saying by Malaysiakini.
He said the Warisan MPs will continue to sit out of voting until further notice.
“We are still in the opposition bloc, but we want to send a signal to our opposition leadership that we don’t want to be pushed around, and I don’t think they are doing the right strategy (or) the right moves.”
The Warisan MPs comprise Rozman, former chief minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal (Semporna), Datuk Darell Leiking (Penampang), Isnaraissah Munirah Fakharudy (Kota Belud), Datuk Azis Jamman (Sepanggar), Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi (Lahad Datu), Ma’mun Sulaiman (Kalabakan) and Ahmad Hassan (Papar).
Rozman joined the party in 2018 after defecting from Umno.
He said Warisan is acting this way in the hope that PH will realise the need for a “new leadership” for the opposition to have a good chance of taking Putrajaya in the next general election. – The Vibes, December 2, 2020
