BUDGET 2023 which was originally scheduled on Oct 28 will now be tabled three weeks earlier, reported The Star.
“The Cabinet which met on Friday (Aug 26), was informed of the decision by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob,” wrote a news piece penned by veteran journalist Datuk Seri Wong Chun Wai. “The decision is regarded as an indication that the general election will be held soon.”
According to the mainstream news portal, Barisan Nasional (BN) officials, in reaction to the news, said Parliament could be dissolved after the budget is tabled.
“Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz will present the Budget after the Dewan starts its next meeting on Oct 3,” The Star further noted.
“Following the Cabinet directive, the next step is to inform Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun who will need at least 28 days to inform the MPs of the new date.”
This is confirmed by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar. “Yes, it is true. The new session will start on Oc
t 3 actually,” he told news portal Malaysiakini.
He, however, denied any link between the change of date of the new sitting and the 15th General Election (GE15) which is speculated to be held this year as UMNO has been mounting pressure on Ismail Sabri for a snap poll.
“No, there is no discussion on the general election which is very much still the prerogative of the PM (who will) go and seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (to dissolve the Parliament),” added the Santubong MP.
Ironically, the U-turn came barely 24 hours after Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah said yesterday (Aug 25) that the tabling of Budget 2023 remains on schedule for Oct 28.
“I have not received any information of a change to the date yet,” he told reporters after witnessing the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Iskandar Investment Bhd (IIB) and Futurerise Sdn Bhd in Iskandar Puteri.
Earlier on Aug 7, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz himself has dismissed rumours that the tabling of Budget 2023 would be brought forward.
“It was announced that Budget 2023 will be tabled on Oct 28 as stated in the Dewan Rakyat’s takwim (calendar),” he told the media at the Veterans’ Association of Malaysian Armed Forces (PVATM) 100th anniversary celebration and KL Car Free Morning at Dataran Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur. “So far in the calendar, it’s still Oct 28.”
If indeed it is true that the presentation of Budget 2023 has been carried forward to Oct 7 to make way for GE15 despite assurances by both the Finance Minister and his deputy, then obviously, this kind of flip flop is not good for Malaysia’s financial markets as it only fulfils the desires of UMNO warlords.
There must be a good justification to shift the budget date, not merely for political reasons. – Aug 26, 2022
Main pic credit: Bernama
