KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) has urged Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin today to discuss the contents of Budget 2021 before tabling it in Dewan Rakyat, following the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s call for MPs to back it.
PH said it agrees with the Agong’s remark calling for a prior negotiation with Opposition MPs, which it said is needed in order to ensure that the budget will fulfil the objectives decreed by the Agong.
“The prime minister should hold urgent talks and discussions with the Opposition regarding the contents of Budget 2021 so we can negotiate terms before bringing it to Parliament,” the pact said.
The joint statement was co-signed by PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Parti Amanah Negara president Mohamad Sabu, and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, and was issued following its presidential council meeting this afternoon.
The Budget is set to be tabled on November 6, and it was initially expected to be rejected as Muhyiddin does not seem to have enough majority in the Dewan Rakyat to get it passed.
Muhyiddin then sought an audience with the King to ask for a declaration of a state of emergency as that would allow him to push his budget through.
This request was denied by the King and he urged all parties to back the budget and work together to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Budget 2021 should focus on the needs of the frontliners who are the nation’s wall against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It must also identify new economic as well as development strategies to ensure Malaysia continues to grow during and after the pandemic,” PH said.
“These strategies should be outlined clearly as millions of citizens living below the poverty line will need help due to loss of jobs and income in 2020. It should also not forget those who are hoping for an extension on the loan moratorium.”
