TTDI residents hailed by 'propaganda van' talking up Budget 2021

 

Starting earlier this year, Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) residents have become used to police vehicles driving by and broadcasting rules and warnings about the movement control order and related SOPs.

However, shoppers at the wet market at Jalan Wan Kadir yesterday were surprised when they realised that the latest vehicle making a broadcast was actually a van informing the public about Budget 2021.

A video recording displayed on the Twitter account of the Federal Territory Information Department shows the van broadcasting the following:

"The budget was drafted based on three main objectives: the people's wellbeing, business sustainability and economic endurance.

"The strategies are aimed toward the Covid-19 pandemic and ensuring the wellbeing of the people, driving investments, strengthening popular sectors and consolidating business assets.

"The objectives and strategies outlined are to ensure that the livelihoods of the people are protected, and the country's economy continues to sustain even as it is being impacted by Covid-19," said the message.

Twitter user Nauwar Shukri was not particularly impressed, calling the experience "dystopian".

"While in TTDI this morning, a vehicle with megaphones drove slowly past, blaring messages from the government - not about the pandemic, but about the budget they tabled in Parliament and how it would benefit the people," she said.

Based on the Twitter account of the Federal Territory Information Department, the #InfoOnWheels had visited a wide range of areas in TTDI, including the Ruman Panjang Bukit Kiara, shopping areas around the wet market, the Masjid Al-Gufran, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi and neighbouring Kampung Sungai Penchala.

Residents in Bangsar also told Malaysiakini that vans broadcasting similar messages were seen - and heard - in their area.

This came amid uncertainty whether Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin can secure enough support to pass his government's budget for next year.

Muhyiddin only commands the support of 112 MPs in the 222-member Dewan Rakyat. There are also two vacancies following the death of a government and opposition lawmaker.

Last month, Umno announced that it might quit the PN government if Muhyiddin, who is also the Bersatu president, did not offer Umno a "new deal". 

Muhyiddin has not publicly indicated whether he will accede to their demands and Umno has yet to follow through with its threat.

However, the first Budget 2021 vote is expected to begin on Nov 25, raising the stakes.

 - Mkini