KUALA LUMPUR – Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz is threatening MPs with his allusion that civil servants and frontliners will not get paid salaries and aid, respectively, if Budget 2021 is rejected, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
In a statement today, the opposition leader said amendments can still be made to ensure the Budget brings more benefits to the people.
“The finance minister suggested that should Perikatan Nasional’s Budget 2021 be rejected, it will not be able to fulfil its commitments, including paying salaries to civil servants, and it will also affect frontliners’ duty in combating Covid-19.
“I think this statement is tasteless in nature and appears to be a threat, as well as part of a bigger plan to push aside the voices of the majority of parliamentarians.”
He was commenting on Tengku Zafrul's comments in a media conference yesterday, where the minister said the government will not be able to fund its commitments if the Budget is not passed.
“For me, if this Budget can help our country, then there is no reason for it not to be approved, or rejected (in the Dewan Rakyat),” said Tengku Zafrul.
Despite not committing himself to the Budget, Anwar said allocations for civil servants’ emoluments and operating expenditure, especially for frontliners, as well as medical and health equipment, will not be compromised.
“I repeat my call for the government to review Budget 2021. The opposition will support it only if it is truly a Budget that is meant to fight Covid-19.”
When debating the RM322.5 billion Budget, Anwar had said the opposition might not support it if its demands were not met.
“The finance minister and the prime minister must know that the Budget, in its current unamended form, which will impact the public, will not be so easily passed.
“So, I call upon the finance minister to study all proposals to manage Covid-19-related problems.” – The Vibes, November 15, 2020
