The Pakatan Harapan presidential council is expected to meet tomorrow, with political manoeuvring having seemingly come to a halt.
According to Harapan sources, the council will meet at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya, their usual meeting point, to discuss the opposition coalition's next move.
It has been a month since the last presidential council meeting, which was held two days after the Sabah state election.
The political scenario has dramatically changed since then, as after PKR president Anwar Ibrahim claimed he had majority support in Parliament, the ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) government sought to impose a state of emergency, which was rebuffed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
While this was seen as a slap in the face for Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, the wobbly PN government has apparently been given another lifeline.
Talks of ousting the PN government have fallen by the wayside as the parliamentary session that begins Nov 2, which includes the tabling of Budget 2021, approaches.
Not joining the government
When contacted by Malaysiakini, Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub said the expected the agenda of the Harapan meeting will mainly be on “supporting Budget 2021”.
“I think we will try to discuss (the matter) entirely, including what form of cooperation (with the government)..."
However, Salahuddin said, some people have misunderstood that Harapan would be joining a unity government.
"No, that's not true," he said. “Every idea of (the opposition parties) will put on the table for us to discuss. But I strongly believe that we want to support the Budget 2021 bill, not discuss about joining the government. Not at all."
Asked about the suggestion of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak that the BN considers backing Anwar as prime minister, Salahuddin said that was “water under the bridge”.
He said the possibility of the PN government being toppled was no longer an issue for now and that priority should be placed on discussing the Budget.
“Muhyiddin (whether he falls) or not, we shall put that aside first,” the Pulai MP said.
'We will support Budget 2021'
Meanwhile, Salahuddin reiterated that Muhyiddin should meet the opposition to discuss Budget 2021.
“He must respect the position of the opposition chief in Parliament (Anwar)... I want to make it very clear that we will support the Budget,” he said.
Yesterday, Salahuddin said the opposition was ready to meet with Muhyiddin to discuss Budget 2021, which is set to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next Friday.
Salahuddin, who is a former agriculture and agro-based industry minister, said he would present his proposals, which included a loan moratorium for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to Muhyiddin, should the meeting take place.
He also urged the PN government to provide an equal allocation to all parliamentarians. - Mkini
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