SERDANG – “Wait, wait, wait,” said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob briefly when asked by scores of journalists here today when Parliament will be dissolved.
Ismail Sabri is believed to be under further pressure to dissolve Parliament to make way for the 15th general election by Umno following the special address by its president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi at the party headquarters yesterday.
Previously, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said that the Supply (Budget) Bill 2023 is set to be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on October 7.
He was informed that the 2023 budget will be presented during the third session of the 14th session of Parliament, which will begin on October 3.
Earlier, in a seemingly nostalgic moment, Ismail Sabri admitted that it has been awhile since he felt happy meeting the staff from the Community Development Department (Kemas).
“There have been so many problems (as of late), but today (meeting you all) I feel all problems are gone,” he said during his speech during the opening ceremony in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of Kemas during the Malaysian Agricultural Expo Park here today.
Ismail Sabri, who had once served as rural and regional development minister, expressed that he missed being in the ministry, as Kemas personnel were always in the front line in supporting the government’s policies.
He also recalled that the presence of children in Kemas had always brought him joy during his time in said portfolio.
“When I was at the Rural and Regional Development Ministry or anywhere else, every programme I had would be greeted by children from Kemas. Even when the mood in the morning was not good, when the children were there, it seemed that all problems were solved and the programme (became) lively.
“Unfortunately, in terms of history, at one point, Kemas seemed to have disappeared from the public eye.
“We know why. Some people are warned to choose between ‘packing out’ or staying in Kemas.
“If you want to remain in Kemas, you have to set aside aims of becoming a politician,” he said.
However, he assured, the scenario will not repeat again.
“That was before, but now I want Kemas not to worry anymore because as I understand, (they) have been given space to play politics again,” he said. – The Vibes, August 28, 2022
