SERDANG – It is rumoured that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob will break the longstanding convention of having the annual national budget tabled by the finance minister, according to his predecessor Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman said he was informed by a cabinet member that the Umno vice-president will take over the responsibility from Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.
This, he said, is a clear indication that the general election will be called soon after, possibly in reference to the prime minister taking centre stage for the 2023 budget.
Yesterday, Law Minister Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar had said the tabling of the budget had been moved forward by three weeks to October 7.
“I was told by a cabinet member that the prime minister will table the budget, which is normally done by the finance minister. Usually, the budget is also tabled at the end of October, but it has been moved to October 7.
“Why do you think they are doing that? I’m not very smart, but I think that there is a huge possibility that after the tabling, there won’t be any debates, and Parliament will be dissolved the next day,” he said during his winding-up speech at the PN convention here today.
Parliament had previously scheduled the coming Dewan Rakyat sitting to take place from October 25 to December 15. With the change in date for the budget’s tabling, proceedings will also now commence earlier, beginning October 3.
If it is true that Ismail Sabri will be tabling this year’s supply bill, this will break the long-established convention of the Finance Ministry handling the role, noticeably because the latter takes part in consultation prior to the preparation of the document.
The exception to this is when the prime minister also assumes responsibility over the finance portfolio, as was the case under Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s tenure.
Tengku Zafrul has tabled the last two budgets under Muhyiddin and Ismail Sabri's administrations.
‘100% for a younger prime minister’
On a separate issue, Muhyiddin, who is Bersatu president, said he is open to the idea of putting forward a younger prime minister candidate from PN, if the coalition is able to nominate a capable leader that fits the criteria.
This would fall in line with the coalition’s recent policy of placing younger candidates to contest in elections.
“Even when considering (candidates) for the recent Johor and Melaka elections, that (selecting youths) is always our hope. We know Malaysians want younger faces.
“I’m already old. That is why a delegate earlier mooted putting forward a younger candidate for prime minister. I support this 100%.”
The Pagoh MP said any nomination will be based on careful consideration, for the sake of the rakyat and country, and not division leaders or party.
“That’s our main agenda. And if this is our consideration, then God willing, the rakyat will give us their support, and PN will return to form the government,” he said. – The Vibes, August 27, 2022
