Liew, who is Tawau MP, said Sabah, which is resource-rich but also one of the poorest states in the country, is an integral part of the federation and there would have been no Malaysia without its participation.

“Sabah received RM5.2 billion under Budget 2020. This time around, Sabah needs more funds in view of the unrelenting Covid-19 pandemic, which has spread and claimed more lives.

“Essentially, food aid distribution is warranted for now, not just to cater to the B40 and other disadvantaged groups, but also to alleviate the plight of families adversely affected by the third wave of infections.

“Given this unprecedented situation, our focus should be on combating the scourge while striving for economic recovery during this conditional movement control order period,” she said in a statement here today, adding that Sabahans anticipated a people-oriented and development-centric national budget.

On another note, the Sabah PKR chief urged the federal government to consider disbursing funds to all MPs, irrespective of whether the representative was in the government, opposition or even an independent.

She said this would help serve their respective constituencies.

“All of us are elected representatives with our inherent role and responsibilities, regardless of our political status.

“To deprive an opposition area of funding would be tantamount to punishing the constituents who are also taxpayers and equally entitled to federal funds for development.”

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