Opposition ready to meet PM on budget - Salahuddin Ayub

 

The opposition is ready to be called to meet with Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on Budget 2021 which will be tabled in Dewan Rakyat next Friday, according to Amanah deputy president Salahuddin Ayub (above).

"We are objective. If this is for the sake of the people and country, we will support.

"For the upcoming Budget 2021, since the Yang di-Pertuan Agong wanted the government to function and budget to be approved, so summon us," he was quoted as saying in an interview with Astro Awani.

"We have a team that is able to brainstorm the best ideas. We are ready, any time, (so) call us as soon as possible," said the Pulai MP.

Salahuddin was echoing DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke, who said his party was waiting for Muhyiddin to call for formal talks on Budget 2021.

Loke was quoted as saying that the Pakatan Harapan presidential council had agreed that he and other DAP members should hold informal talks with other parties to discuss the possibility of supporting the budget.

However, PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar yesterday denied that Harapan had reached a consensus on passing Budget 2021 in Parliament.

"We are currently still discussing with DAP. I think DAP has come out with the statement too early, without consulting their partners in Harapan," Xavier (above) was reported as saying by Free Malaysia Today.

Salahuddin, who is also a former agriculture and agro-based industry minister, said he would present his proposals, which included the loan moratorium for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to Muhyiddin, should the meeting take place.

He also urged the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government to provide an equal allocation for all parliamentarians.

"All MPs serve the people. If the allocation is only meant for the MPs who support the government when the budget needs the approval of everyone, by right it should be fairly distributed to the people," he said.

Moreover, Salahuddin added, the current situation demanded that politicians step out of the ordinary, adhere to the royal decree and focus to serve the people. - Mkini