Opposition Leader Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang) tabled the Barisan Alternatif budget in the Dewan Rakyat today without protest from the speaker or government backbenchers.

Claiming the opposition's right to present its ideas in Parliament, Abdul Hadi said the Bajet 2003 tabled by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad last Friday was merely "an estimation and suggestion as it is only one of the aspects of the country's planning".

"Therefore, we in the Barisan Alternatif also have the right to draft our own budget," he said while debating the government's Budget 2003 proposals.

Mahathir had outlined in 79 pages, measures to further reduce the cost of doing business to enhance the country's competitiveness.

However, the BA had stolen a little of that limelight on Sept 17 when it 'presented' its strategy in the Parliament's meeting room. It was read out by Universiti Malaya economic professor Dr KS Jomo.