Muhyiddin on Saturday urged all MPs to set aside political differences to ensure Budget 2021, which benefits the people and country, is approved

by FARA AISYAH / pic by BERNAMA

PRIME Minister (PM) Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin should meet Opposition parties as a formality to smoothly pass Budget 2021, which will be tabled on Friday.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur senior lecturer (political study) Dr Mazlan Ali said if he meets them now for discussions and negotiations, the Opposition parties could easily approve Budget 2021.

“Otherwise, they would think that the government is not interested in their views on things, and another power tussle is possible,” he told The Malaysian Reserve (TMR) recently.

However, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Institute of Ethnic Studies deputy director Dr Kartini Aboo Talib @ Khalid said such negotiations are not necessary.

“The government needs only a simple majority to pass the budget.

“Even if Opposition abstained, the budget will pass because Umno now is with the Perikatan Nasional government,” she said.

Last Friday, an official from Parti Amanah Negara told TMR that the government had yet to meet the party regarding Budget 2021 negotiations or consultations.

The day after, Muhyiddin urged all MPs to set aside political differences to ensure Budget 2021, which benefits the people and country, is approved.

“Let us put the interests of the people above all.

“A form of understanding can be drawn up among the MPs to ensure Budget 2021 is approved with the support of the government and Opposition,” he said in a special note.

Muhyiddin said the Budget 2021 announcement will include initiatives that will ease the people’s burden amid the Covid-19 crisis.

He added that the government will provide various allocations to its agencies, assistance to the people and incentives to the corporate sector, industries and businesses in facing the pandemic and reviving the national economy.

The Malaysian Insight reported on Saturday that Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (picture) was expected to meet with Pakatan Harapan (PH) lawmakers to discuss Budget 2021.

PKR secretary general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the news portal that the Finance Ministry invited the party president to the budget consultation, with only four representatives.

The report added that DAP and Amanah will each be represented by three leaders.