Budget 2023: opposition MPs mix praise with some criticism

KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmakers had little to criticise in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s maiden budget of RM388.1 billion, but instead cried foul over the reduced development allocations for each MP.

Although a quarter of the budget – totalling RM99 billion – was set aside for development expenditure – the largest thus far – PN politicians said this would not reflect their capacities as lawmakers to serve the people.

Arau MP Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim said opposition lawmakers remain unhappy over cuts announced earlier to their development allocation and reiterated calls that all MPs should receive sufficient and equal allocations.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a government or opposition lawmaker, everyone should receive (a proper development budget). When they (the unity government) came to power, not all got the same allocation, despite PH (Pakatan Harapan) promising equal allocations in their election manifesto,” he told the media after Anwar, who is also finance minister, tabled the federal budget for 2023 in Parliament today.

Shahidan said opposition MPs will elaborate on their complaints about Budget 2023 when the debate session begins in the Dewan Rakyat on Monday.

However, he also said opposition lawmakers welcomed initiatives that are positive for the people.

“We will continue to act as a check and balance on the government. If it is good, we will say it is good, but if it is bad, we will call them out,” he said.

PN Youth chief and Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said Budget 2023 is “good” but added that the opposition will press for more information and details on the plan during the debate session.

“In general, I think the budget is good. It serves the right purpose at the right time. A bit of austerity here and there, but there are still missing details we hope to get from the prime minister and finance minister in the coming two weeks,” he said. 

MPs’ development allowances have been reduced by 65% from RM3.8 million to RM1.3 million, Anwar had announced earlier this month.

In his budget speech this afternoon, he addressed the backlash from certain MPs, saying that despite the reduction, projects for citizens will not be reduced.

The spending plan for 2023 will even see increased grants to state governments for projects on economic development, infrastructure, and citizens’ well-being. – The Vibes, February 24, 2023