KOTA KINABALU – Warisan deputy president Datuk Darell Leiking has denied that his party is working with Perikatan Nasional (PN) after its MPs skipped recent bloc votes for Budget 2021 in Parliament.
The Penampang MP said the matter was already explained clearly by the party whip Datuk Rosman Isli who said that their absence was to send a signal to the opposition chief Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Pakatan Harapan coalition that new leadership was needed in the opposition front.
“There is no such thing. Warisan is not working with Perikatan Nasional (PN) nor Barisan Nasional (BN),” Leiking was quoted as saying by Free Malaysia Today (FMT) today.
He said this in response to PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil alleging that their absence during the voting process can be perceived as helping the ruling PN.
“These (PN members) are the people who fought against us in the last election, we will maintain this and we will fight them again when the election comes.
“But where there are good things in the budget, we will support, such as assistance for Covid-19 and where it helps the people. If it doesn’t help the people of course we will oppose it," said Leiking, adding that Fahmi should clarify what he meant.
Fahmi had reminded Warisan to be ready in case there were perceptions the party was helping PN to stay in power after sitting out the budget vote.
The Lembah Pantai MP also issued the reminder after none of the eight Warisan MPs were present during the first day of the committee-level debate on the 2021 Supply Bill for the Prime Minister’s Department and Finance Ministry on Monday.
“This is a loss for Pakatan Harapan (because Warisan MPs did not attend). So don’t be surprised if people say, or perceptions arise, that Warisan is helping to keep the current government in power,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
On Monday, Rozman acknowledged that the absence of Warisan MPs was a deliberate move to show the party’s displeasure with Anwar as opposition leader.
He added that Warisan intended to sit out during bloc votes on the budget indefinitely.
Leiking, who is former international trade and industry minister, said despite Warisan’s position, the party will do its part regarding the budget.
“Rozman was making a point but that doesn’t mean we will not do our part.
“We are doing our part. We’ve said our part and there are some concessions the government has done, but there are still many issues we will oppose,” he said. - The Vibes, December 2, 2020.
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