PM urges MPs to support upcoming budget

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin voiced hope today that all MPs, including those from the opposition bloc, will support the 2021 budget to be tabled in Parliament on Friday for the sake of the people as well as the country.

He was also optimistic that MPs would remain committed and cooperate in the nation’s interests.

“At the last Parliament session, none of the MPs objected to the (Temporary Measures of Government Financing) Covid-19 Fund Act,” he said at a special media conference with Bernama and local television stations ahead of the budget.

“Looking at the importance of Budget 2021 in pursuing our efforts to handle Covid-19, ensuring the survival of the vulnerable, and steering the economy, I really hope that all MPs from all political backgrounds will support Budget 2021,” he added.

He urged all quarters to focus their efforts on helping those who have been badly affected by the pandemic despite the difficulties facing the entire country.

“The issue before us is not merely a government issue, but a national issue.

“If we love our country… we will try to save it by any way possible,” he said.

Adding that the government carried a heavy burden of responsibility in this regard, he said the weight could be eased if everyone set aside their political views and helped.

“The Cabinet can play their part, government officers can also play their part, but if the others could also help in any way, it would be a sacrifice that we really appreciate,” he said.

He said he believed the budget would be supported and passed at the Dewan Rakyat as well as the Dewan Negara.

“I hope this can be done so that the burden of the government and the people can be alleviated,” he said.

He also said the budget was an inclusive budget as the views of various quarters, including the opposition, NGOs, businessmen and people from all walks of life were taken into consideration.

It was also the first time in the country’s history that input from the opposition was taken into account in formulating the budget, he said.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Aziz is scheduled to table the budget in the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 6.