KUALA LUMPUR – The tabling of Budget 2023 is set to take place on October 7, contrary to October 28 as scheduled earlier.
In a statement today, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar confirmed the matter, stating that it would be tabled during the third session of the 14th Parliament session, which will commence on October 3.
“The proposed schedule was supposed to begin from October 25 to December 15 (31 days) for the Dewan Rakyat, and December 8 until December 22 (nine days) for the Dewan Negara, which the cabinet had agreed to before this.
“The new schedule proposed will be between October 3 until November 29 for the Dewan Rakyat (32 days) and November 21 until December 7 (11 days) for the Dewan Negara, 23 days earlier than originally scheduled,” he said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob reaffirmed reports that the tabling of Budget 2023 will be brought forward, but did not provide an actual date for the announcement.
He said holding budget tablings as early as September was not out of the ordinary as it was done during Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s time in office.
“This is a normal matter, as during Pak Lah’s (Abdullah’s) time, they were done in September,” he told reporters briefly after attending the launch of the USHAniaga Keluarga Malaysia traders’ market carnival in Odeon Walk, along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman here this evening.
When asked to confirm whether the budget would be tabled on October 7, as reported earlier today, Ismail Sabri said the date would be announced by the law minister at a later time.
Ismail Sabri had hinted that this year’s budget will put the public’s well-being at its core by taking into consideration the challenges that await next year.
He had said that among the budget’s main priorities would be to ensure the nation’s post-Covid-19 recovery, which will include the creation of jobs, increases in income and the survival of businesses.
He added that the government would also pay attention to a safe and comfortable living environment by emphasising inclusive and sustainable development. – The Vibes, August 26, 2022
