KOTA KINABALU: Warisan deputy president Darell Leiking has rubbished notions that the Sabah opposition outfit was in cahoots with ruling parties after its MPs sat out several budget votes in the Dewan Rakyat this week.
“There is no such thing. Warisan is not working with Perikatan Nasional (PN) nor Barisan Nasional (BN),” the Penampang MP told FMT.
He was responding to a news report in which PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil had warned Warisan that it could be perceived as helping PN as a result of the no-show by its MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.
“I think Rozman said it very clearly. This is not to support PN or BN, and Fahmi knows this very well,” Leiking said referring to Labuan MP Rozman Isli, who is also Warisan whip.
“These 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. I think 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 day one 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 are helping to keep the current government in power,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
Fahmi said while he did not believe such a matter but that if such a perception surfaced, Warisan would then need to explain.
“I hope this is not true,” he added.
On Monday, Rozman acknowledged that the absence of Warisan MPs was a deliberate move to show the party’s displeasure with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.
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 too,” he said.