Dr M & Co will not back PN's Budget 2021

 

Langkawi MP Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he and his "friends" will not be supporting Budget 2021 when the vote on it is called in Parliament this week.

In a statement today, Mahathir said their rejection of Budget 2021 was done because of the sense of responsibility and trust placed upon them by their constituents.

Mahathir did not specify who his "friends" were. Mahathir is part of a new party called Pejuang, which has three other MPs. The statement was made in Mahathir's individual capacity and did not mention Pejuang.

Elaborating on his position, Mahathir said the federal government's priority with Budget 2021 was to ensure political survival rather than the interests of the rakyat.

"We can see from the disappointing debate process on Budget 2021 where debates are limited and there are no signs that the government is accepting the views aired by MPs, despite criticisms from the public and community leaders aired on social media.

"Instead, the government is threatening MPs with the narrative that if Budget 2021 is not passed, then the salaries, allowances and pensions for 'frontliners' will not be paid," said Mahathir.

This was in reference to Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz's claim two weeks ago which has since been debunked by lawyers and opposition MPs.

Mahathir said that should Budget 2021 not be passed, then the ruling Perikatan Nasional-BN-GPS alliance would have lost its legitimacy.

"When this happens, the prime minister, if he is a person with dignity, would resign," he said.

Should this happen, Mahathir said the outgoing prime minister can, under normal circumstances, advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve Parliament.

"However, currently, the country is facing the Covid-19 pandemic [...] and holding a general election now is not an option.

"Therefore, the process which could be considered is to allow Parliament to decide (who is to be prime minister) among the MPs who have majority support.

"This will ensure that the new government has legitimacy and will not be called a 'backdoor' government like the one now," said Mahathir.

Once a new government is formed, a new budget or an amended budget bill can be tabled and passed, he added. - Mkini