Warisan president Mohd Shafie Apdal has conditionally voiced his party’s willingness to back Perikatan Nasional (PN)’s upcoming Budget 2021 proposal.
This depends on the details of the budget that is to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 6.
He said Warisan would have no issues in backing the proposal if it is comprehensive in helping the people, tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, and helping to revive the nation’s economy.
In particular, he said healthcare services in Sabah are far behind those of other states, so the upcoming budget proposal should address this shortcoming.
In addition, the budget should not be focused on development alone, but also help people and businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have to know what kind of cooperation we are getting into. For the budget, for example, we have to know what budgetary constraints we face.
“Secondly, it is no less important that we overcome our country’s economic problems since many companies have become paralysed, whereas three-quarters of the country’s revenue comes in the form of taxes amounting to RM160 billion a year," said Shafie.
He said it would be difficult to revive the economy by taxing companies because many of them have become bankrupt or lack "vitality" due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The former Sabah chief minister added that there should be measures in the budget to revive the economy, whether in the form of taxes or moratoriums.
Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin is currently facing internal and external challenges to his position, including the possibility that his budget proposal may be rejected in a show of no-confidence in his administration.
However, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (photo) had issued a decree telling politicians to stop politicking, while emphasising the importance of the upcoming budget proposal.
"Sultan Abdullah was also of the opinion that there was no need for MPs to continue with their irresponsible action that could threaten the stability of the current government.
"His Majesty stressed that Budget 2021, which will be tabled in Parliament, is of utmost importance to the people in combating Covid-19 and reviving the economy," said the comptroller of the royal household Ahmad Fadli Shamsuddin.
Fadli had announced on Oct 25 that the King had rejected Muhyiddin's bid to seek a proclamation of an emergency.
He also said that those on the frontlines desperately need financial allocation so they can conduct their duties smoothly. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.