Pakatan Harapan has branded Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's government an illegitimate one ever since he ousted the coalition which was elected in the 14th general election.
But after the dramatic recent weeks where Muhyiddin unsuccessfully tried to a declare a state of emergency amid an uncertain majority and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong nudging MPs not to rock the boat during the Covid-19 pandemic, both sides finally met today.
They had their sights set on Budget 2021 which will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on Nov 6, but could also act as a proxy to a confidence vote which Muhyiddin's government has been trying to prevent.
This has been a conundrum for the opposition as defeating the budget could prove their claim that Muhyiddin did not command majority support but at the same time, it would throw the country's finances into disarray, especially so close to the next fiscal year.
It is in this context that the Harapan delegation today met with Zafrul and after the meeting, they made one message clear: Harapan was heeding the ruler's advice to unite during the pandemic but were in no way recognising the legitimacy of Muhyiddin's government.
"I want to stress that this meeting should in no way whatsoever, imply that we support and recognise the legitimacy of this government.
"We come in good faith to discuss the budget and see if there are common grounds to fight Covid-19 and save the rakyat and the economy," PKR's Subang MP Wong Chen (photo) said in a statement.
Wong was part of the delegation received by Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz this afternoon.
The delegation made six proposals, including an extension of the loan moratorium, raising welfare aid to RM1,000 a month, wage subsidy, increased education and health spending and development expenditure for internet coverage and water infrastructure.
Ball in Muhyiddin's court
Despite royal pressure, the opposition leaders expect some form of reciprocation for their olive branch.
"It remains to be seen if the government will engage us again before the tabling of the budget on Nov 6," said Wong.
It is now a wait-and-see game. PKR secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution told journalists after the two-hour meeting in Putrajaya today that it was "premature" to declare if Harapan will support Budget 2021.
He also emphasised that there were two separate issue - one on the budget, and another on Muhyiddin's legitimacy.
Echoing this was DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng who said there were three crises facing the country, namely the health crisis, economic crisis and political crisis.
"Our discussion with the minister is only on two crises - the health crisis and economic crisis. For the political crisis, the discussion is with someone else," he said.
The delegation comprised PKR's Saifuddin, Wong Chen, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad and Akmal Nasir, DAP's Lim, Tony Pua, Ong Kian Ming and Liew Chin Tong as well as Amanah's Mohamad Sabu, Dzulkefly Ahmad and Adly Zahari.
In a joint statement by Saifuddin (above), Mohamad and Lim later, they emphasised the importance of a bipartisan unity budget.
"This unity budget is crucial in upholding the royal decree rejecting an emergency proclamation for the country and avoid snap general elections which will only worsen the current third wave of Covid-19 infections.
"On the good advice of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, we wish to stress that this consultative process is done in the spirit of good faith. Harapan is committed to working with all parties to combat Covid-19 to save the rakyat and our economy.
"However, Harapan reiterates that this consultative process does not imply any Harapan support or acceptance of the present federal government but to work together for a unity budget that benefits both the nation, our national economy and the rakyat," they said.
Whether Muhyiddin is prepared to make concessions to Harapan in Budget 2021 remains to be seen.
New alternatives
If a fickled Umno continues to back Muhyiddin, he can still bulldoze the budget through the Dewan Rakyat with a narrow majority.
Muhyiddin, who is the Bersatu president, commands the support of 113 MPs out of the 222-member Dewan Rakyat.
Umno had in recent weeks threatened to withdraw from Muhyiddin's government if he did not offer them a "new deal". The defection of three MPs is enough to topple his government.
Umno has a total of 39 MPs, but the party is also split between the pro-Muhyiddin and anti-Muhyiddin factions.
However, a choice between Umno and Harapan may not be Muhyiddin's only choice.
Sin Chew Daily reported that there have been some backchanneling on the possibility for Pejuang and Warisan to support Muhyiddin if Umno pulls out but this would likely also entail some form of concession to the parties.
However, no official meeting between their leaders has happened.
Budget 2021 will be tabled this Friday. - Mkini
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