VOTING on Budget 2021 for Sabah lawmakers would not be affected as they had been instructed to come early to undergo the mandatory 14-day quarantine before the parliamentary meeting which begins tomorrow.

They, however, told The Malaysian Insight this would be difficult for them to service their constituencies in Sabah as they have to comply with the standard operating procedure (SOP) of another 14-day quarantine when they return.

Kinabatangan MP Bung Moktar Radin said he had to limit his time in Parliament as he was recently appointed as Sabah deputy chief minister.

“I will need to adjust my time. Last time I could be in Parliament daily, now I cannot do so. If there is no quarantine, there will be no problem.

“The conditional movement-control order (CMCO) will also be an obstacle because we cannot go back and forth like before, if it continues, there will be a little problem for me,” the Sabah Umno chief told The Malaysian Insight.

Bung Moktar, however, assured the vote for the supply bill would not be affected by his new duties, or the pandemic.  

“I will come when there is an important vote in Parliament, like the budget. I would divide my time. The first week is important so I will be in Parliament, the week after I will go back to Sabah to prepare for the state assembly,” he said.

Sabah is the largest contributor of Covid-19 positive infections in the country with 14,000 cases.

The sharp rise in Covid-19 positive cases in the state occurred after the end of the state elections on September 26.

This week’s Dewan Rakyat meeting is critical as there have been talks of Budget 2021 being voted down amid instability in the Perikatan Nasional government.

Sabah alone has 24 lawmakers, who will attend this meeting.

DAP’s Vivian Wong said she does not see a problem with Sabah MPs attending Parliament as long as they comply with the 14-day quarantine order.

“The budget voting will not be affected as we are in quarantine and as long as we follow the SOP in Parliament there won’t be a problem. The quarantine period gives me more time to prepare for Parliament,” she said.

The Sandakan lawmaker was caught off-guard when she was instructed to quarantine herself in Kuala Lumpur 14 days prior to tomorrow’s sitting.

“The rules do not please us but we need to adhere as we are MPs and we need to set an example for others.”

She said it would be impossible for her to head to her constituency as long as Parliament is in session, which ends on December 15.

When asked if Parliament should convene digitally, Wong said it would be a great suggestion if there is enough equipment provided to each parliamentarian.

“But for now, I think with the current set up, we are still not ready. Yes, there was a youth digital parliament but for an important session like budget, it is best to do it the traditional way,” she said.

Putatan lawmaker Awang Husaini Sahari also said voting for Budget 2021 would not be affected but it would surely make lives for MPs difficult as they would not be able to service their constituencies when the Dewan Rakyat is in session.

The PKR MP also said a 14-day quarantine is not necessary as tests performed through the real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) provide accurate results.

“In the beginning of the parliamentary session, all Sabah and Sarawak MPs also did this PCR test. This PCR test proved to be accurate in contrast to the rapid test kit test,” Awang Husaini said.

If PCR is effective, there is no need for a quarantine period and politicians would be able to go back and forth from their constituencies, he said.

Voting down the Budget 2021 will be construed as a vote of no confidence against the government and Prime Minster Muhyiddin Yassin.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong earlier this week advised all politicians to support Budget 2021 in light of the Covid-19 pandemic as the funds are crucial for medical supplies and front-liners. – November 1, 2020.