[UPDATED] Tengku Zafrul heads to Parliament ahead of Budget 2023 tabling

PUTRAJAYA – Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz has left his ministry here at 2.30pm to head to Parliament ahead of the much anticipated 2023 budget tabling, scheduled for 4pm.

This comes amid speculation over the date of dissolution of Parliament, following Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong yesterday evening.

According to Bernama, Zafrul took part in a recital of the doa led by the Finance Ministry’s Islamic Affairs officer, Mohamad Zukrillah Ismail, at the ministry’s main lobby.

Zafrul is clad in a blue baju Melayu with a sampin, and was reported to be holding a black bag supposedly containing the budget’s speech text.

Among those accompanying him were his deputy ministers, Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah and Datuk Yamani Hafez Musa.

When asked about the contents of the budget, Zafrul merely smiled at members of the press who were present.

According to Bernama, the 2023 budget is expected to continue the momentum of economic recovery, apart from focusing on the aspects of structural reforms and the strengthening of economic resilience.

Themed Strengthening recovery, facilitating reforms towards a sustainable socio-economic resilience of Keluarga Malaysia, the budget is also expected to see the government paying greater attention to issues concerning the rakyat and businesses. – The Vibes, October 7, 2022