KUALA LUMPUR – Arguments flared up in the Dewan Rakyat today after Keningau MP Datuk Jeffrey Kitingan was questioned about a possible violation of his 14-day quarantine.
Fahmi Fadzil (PH-Lembah Pantai) raised the matter with regard to Jeffrey’s return from Sabah.
Azis Jamman (Warisan-Sepanggar) also asked if Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun is allowing double standards.
As a Sabahan, said Azis, he himself did not return home for two months in order to be able to attend the current sitting.
“If we count the days, he should not be in the Dewan today,” he told Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said just before the education minister’s winding-up speech.
“The whole reason for having a quarantine is so that we, the MPs, won’t be infected (with Covid-19). Covid does not look at designation, or letters from the authorities, or (make) exceptions,” he said, adding that Jeffery attended the Sabah assembly on Thursday last week.
Azalina said the order is under the jurisdiction of parliamentary authorities, therefore, the question must be posed to Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun.
Teo Nie Ching (PH-Kulai) asked that Jeffery explain himself, to which Azalina said: “If you are asking me to let him give an explanation, I might as well get the answer from parliamentary authorities. I do not know if an official answer has already been given to parliamentary authorities.”
Teo said: “If it’s an answer in the Dewan Rakyat, how can it not be official?”
“If you want me to do it your way, it means that my decision must be to call for a recess as we wait for the answer to be given,” said Azalina.
“Okay, then we should call for a recess now because this is important,” the MP replied, to which Azalina said she should not be instructed.
A representative from the Dewan Rakyat secretariat later provided the written answer, which said Jeffrey has been allowed by the Parliament clinic doctor to attend the sitting.
“He has been given a relief order, after completing his quarantine, from the Health Ministry,” said the written answer, leading to MPs asking who issued the order and raising the question of whether this is double standards.
“If this is the case, I would have gone home last weekend and seen my aunt, who just passed away,” said Azis.
“But because we obey the laws of Parliament, we have to sacrifice. But now, what do we see in the Dewan Rakyat today? YB Keningau has been allowed in the Dewan. This is a question of our safety.”
“I was given the instruction to implement the answer from the minister,” said Azalina.
“As for the issue that you are not content with, regarding your suggestion that there are double standards, please ask the speaker, because he has said that for any issue, just ask him.
“I cannot answer on behalf of the speaker. The instruction I’ve been given is to continue with the proceeding.”
Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) then asked whether the green light by the Parliament clinic can override the standard operating procedures that all MPs are supposed to observe.
Azalina said she has answered Azis’ question, and gave Education Minister Mohd Radzi Md Jidin the floor.
However, the issue was brought up again by Azis after Radzi’s round-up session, requesting that Azhar look into Jeffrey’s attendance today.
“You told us last week that we should sacrifice and not go back to our constituencies because we have our parliamentary sitting. And today, I see Keningau, who has not gone through the quarantine process,” he said, seeking an explanation.
Azhar said Jeffrey was granted a release order by the Health Ministry yesterday, and had his quarantine wristband cut the same day.
It is said that Jeffery has completed his quarantine, registered as being from November 12 to 23, and tested negative for Covid-19.
Azis told the speaker that Jeffery was spotted in Kota Kinabalu on November 13.
“But even if he was done with the state assembly on November 12, the quarantine is only 12 days,” he said, noting that after he himself tested negative, he was told by Kuala Lumpur International Airport personnel that no exceptions are made to the 14-day quarantine rule.
Azhar said the matter falls under the Health Ministry, and he cannot do anything about it.
Other MPs stood up to object, and Azis once again said Azhar should not have allowed Jeffrey to enter the chamber.
The speaker said he will check with the ministry again, and that he cannot question the release order given to Jeffrey.
He requested time to contact the Lembah Pantai health office, which granted the order, and get more information.
He also asked Jeffrey not to attend the Dewan Rakyat sitting until the matter is cleared. – The Vibes, November 24, 2020
