Stop daydreaming on budget spending, Harapan MP tells govt

 

PARLIAMENT | Budget 2021 has yet to be passed by the House, but the government is already daydreaming of spending it for their narrow political interests, according to a Pakatan Harapan MP.

In yet another reference to the Puteri Gunung Ledang folklore, Steven Sim (Harapan-Bukit Mertajam) reminded the government to not be "overconfident" that the budget would be passed.

"The government now appears to be overconfident, ignoring the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's advice to not play politics and to work towards passing a unity budget for the benefit of the people," said Sim, who further quoted Puteri Gunung Ledang's warning in the form of a Malay poem.

"Remember Puteri Gunung Ledang's warning... 'The bird (to be cooked) is not yet caught, but spices are already being prepared in the kitchen.'

"The budget is not yet passed, but the government is already dreaming of spending for its narrow political interest," Sim said when debating the Supply Bill 2021.

He was referring to the statement of Ahmad Fadhli Shaari (PAS-Pasir Mas) last week that likened BN backbenchers chief Najib Abdul Razak's "conditional support" for the budget to Puteri Gunung Ledang's indirect rejection of a marriage proposal by the Malacca sultan.

Najib had set two conditions for BN's support of the budget - a blanket loan moratorium extension and permission of up to RM10,000 withdrawal from an individual's Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Account 1.

However, Ahmad Fadhli said Najib's two conditions, like the seven impossible conditions set by Puteri Gunung Ledang for the Malacca ruler, was an indirect sign that BN rejected the budget.

Ahmad Fadhli Shaari

Refuting Ahmad Fadhli, Sim today referred to the same marriage proposal analogy and pointed out that Sultan Mahmud Syah had accepted six out of the seven extraordinary conditions set by the mythical princess, except for one - a bowl of his son's blood.

Sim, who is a former deputy youth and sports minister, further disagreed that the current terms to secure the opposition's support for Budget 2021 could be likened to Puteri Gunung Ledang's conditions.

The opposition's terms also included the cancellation of plans to revive the Special Affairs Department (Jasa) propaganda unit.

"The problem is not that the opposition's demands are like conditions set by Puteri Gunung Ledang. We want what is best for the people and our beloved nation.

"The problem is that the budget tabled is actually a 'Puteri Gunung Ledang' budget," he said.

"Do not criticise and threaten the opposition to pass the 'Jasa 2.0 Budget' with various allocations for political propaganda work, either through Jasa, Penggerak Komuniti Tempatan, or special projects worth billions of ringgit," he added.

Sim urged the government to be sincere in its efforts to unite the federal lawmakers in passing a budget that could truly be an "economic defence" for all Malaysians.

"Not to reduce civil servant emoluments, not to cut police and frontliners emoluments, not to abandon the youth and sports sector, not to table a 'Jasa 2.0 Budget' and especially not a Puteri Gunung Ledang budget that only looks good on paper," added Sim. - Mkini