KENINGAU MP Jeffrey Kitingan’s quarantine status was called into question when the tourism, arts and culture deputy minister appeared at the Dewan Rakyat.

Kitingan was supposed to have been quarantined for 14 days before attending Parliament, but has showed up a few days early. 

Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun, however, told Dewan Rakyat that Kitingan had already been cleared by the government health clinic in Lembah Pantai, Kuala Lumpur, yesterday.

“He was quarantined from November 12 and has tested negative for Covid-19. His wristband was cut today,” Azhar said after Kitingan had appeared briefly in Dewan Rakyat around noon.

When questioned by Azis Jamman (Sepanggar-Warisan) on how Kitingan managed to clear a 14-day quarantine in 11 days, Azhar said: “I’m only following the release order from the Ministry of Health.

“I cannot question this,” said the speaker as MPs vociferously pointed out it was Parliament that imposed this 14-day quarantine on Sabah MPs coming to the peninsula.

“But I have asked him to stay away for now,” said Azhar.

Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to vote on Budget 2021 on Thursday.

The issue came to light after several MPs led by Azis, Fahmi Fadzil (Lembah Pantai-PH), Teo Nie Ching (Kulai-PH), Chang Lih Kang (Tg Malim-PH) and Dr Kelvin Yii (Kuching-PH) raised the matter to Deputy Speaker Azalina Othman Said earlier today.

Just as Kitingan was about to take his seat, Fahmi stood up to ask Azalina if the Sabah MP should have been quarantined as he had been in Covid-19-plagued state recently.

“Shouldn’t Keningau be quarantined?” said the PKR leader.

Kitingan, who is the Sabah deputy chief minister 2, had attended the opening of the Sabah assembly together with Barisan Nasional’s Bung Mokhtar Radin on November 12.

Kitingan should not have been in Parliament today if the quarantine was 14 days, said Azis.

“We accept the Health Ministry’s rules and I have been here for two months. If Keningau was in Sabah on November 12, he should not be here and should be quarantined,” said Azis.

“This is so that Parliament is not infected,” he added.

Dr Yii also asked Azalina to tell Kitingan to leave Parliament.

Azalina said she could not tell Kitingan to leave until she got confirmation from the Dewan Rakyat working secretary.

“Let me refer to the SUDR (Dewan Rakyat working secretary) first,” said the Pengerang MP.

At this point, Teo suggested Azalina check with Kitingan who was already there.

“Why won’t you ask him to tell us if he has been quarantined for 14 days since coming back from Sabah?” said Teo.

“If you want him to answer now, I’m not sure what answers he has already given officially. Or do you want us to recess until we get some confirmation from the hospital?” said Azalina.

Azalina then said the SUDR will confirm with her later and closed the subject.

Kitingan, who kept silent throughout the exchange, left the hall after that. – November 24, 2020.