KUALA LUMPUR – Things may not be smooth sailing in Pakatan Harapan, with 55 Amanah leaders denouncing their coalition partners’ move not to reject Budget 2021.
A statement bearing the names of party committee members and branch leaders said the decision that enabled the Budget to be passed at the policy stage was made unilaterally, and is against the pact’s policy of consensus.
The move has tarnished PH’s reputation after it got the people’s mandate in the 14th general election, they said.
“We would like to emphasise that Amanah and PH’s leadership must hold firm to the principles and discipline of organisation, and follow decisions made by consensus.”
Amanah deputy president Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub is praised after he apologised for not standing up in support of a bloc vote.
“His action is that which must be at the core of PH, and we stand in solidarity with his decision to place his deputy president’s position on the line, on the principles of responsibility and integrity,” said the statement.
The Amanah members called on those in the party to heed the aspirations of president Mohamad Sabu to strengthen cooperation with fellow opposition members and avoid making enemies.
“We stress that a clear direction must be declared as soon as possible, to return the people’s mandate and push out kleptocrats.”
Budget 2021 was passed through a voice vote on Thursday.
Amanah’s Pokok Sena MP, Datuk Mahfuz Omar, stood up to reject the voice vote, and requested a bloc vote instead. Only 13 MPs stood up in support, two short of the minimum number required.
The Budget will now be tabled for debate at the committee stage.
Opposition leader and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim explained to The Vibes that a directive was issued to opposition MPs, to allow the Budget’s passage.
He said this was because the federal government had conceded to the opposition’s demands with regard to amendments to the spending plan.
Opposition lawmakers will have the opportunity to scrutinise the Budget at the committee stage, he said. – The Vibes, November 29, 2020
Below is the list of the 55 Amanah grassroots leaders:
