PKR MP: Does PM have backing of MPs to spend 'well-meaning' Penjana package?

PKR MP Hassan Abdul Karim is questioning if the government under Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has the legitimacy to spend RM295 billion allocated in various Covid-19 economic packages without Parliament's approval.

He said this was as Muhyiddin has yet to prove he possesses majority support of the Dewan Rakyat for his premiership.

“All the effort with the economic stimulus packages and National Economic Recovery Plan (Penjana) involving the spending of up to RM295 billion is good for the country and people. The reality cannot be denied. It was well-intentioned.

“But good intention must go through good means...it will not be viewed as legitimate if used in the wrong way. In short, the ends do not justify the means.

“Is the Perikatan Nasional government under Muhyiddin a legitimate government that can spend national funds of up to RM295 billion without Parliament approval?” Hassan questioned in a statement sent early this morning.

The PM had on Friday announced the RM35 billion Penjana plan to address unemployment and other economic woes caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

This was preceded by two economic stimulus packages worth RM250 billion and RM10 billion, respectively, that was previously announced by the government in the wake of the coronavirus.

Hassan, who is Pasir Gudang MP, today pointed out that the PM was appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong based on Article 43(2) of the constitution in that the PM candidate must have the confidence of the majority of lawmakers in Parliament.

This, he said, must be proven in a Dewan Rakyat proceeding.

Since his swearing-in, Muhyiddin had yet to face a full Parliament sitting. A one-day sitting of the august House was convened on May 18, however, only to hear the Ruler’s speech, purportedly due to Covid-19 fears.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad was thus unable to table his motion of no-confidence against his successor.

However, based on seating arrangements on the Dewan Rakyat that day, Muhyiddin appeared to command a wafer-thin majority of two lawmakers.

The real test will come in July when the Dewan Rakyat is set to reconvene for 25 days, where government bills will be debated and Mahathir’s motion is to be heard.

“Hussein Onn, the third prime minister, underwent the confidence test in Dewan Rakyat when he replaced Abdul Razak Hussein after his death.

“At the time, the BN government had a large majority, more than two-thirds in Parliament. But now, the majority (support) for Muhyiddin remains a question mark,” he added.

'Ensure money spent properly'

Meanwhile, another PKR lawmaker - R Sivarasa - yesterday questioned the lack of any oversight to ensure proper spending of the multi-million ringgit stimulus packages.

He said this was especially as Parliament’s role as oversight “is not allowed to function”.

“We need to make sure the money is being spent properly.

“This is not happening […] Parliament is a critical part of that oversight and Parliament is not allowed to function.

“What is missing […] is a very serious omission now, is oversight about how the money is being spent and whether it is being spent for the programmes and proposals that were told to the public,” the Sungai Buloh MP was reported saying by Free Malaysia Today during an online forum by the Universiti Malaya Law Society. - Mkini