Pakatan Rakyat has urged Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak to be judicious in dishing out “goodies” in the 2013 Budget, in anticipation of a general election.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with coalition members, PAS’ Kuala Selangor MP Dzulkefly Ahmad said that the budget should not undermine mid and long term economic stability.  

“We would like to remind the government that even though we are on the cusp of a general election, the budget should not be reckless as we have a burgeoning (federal) debt,” he said.

NONE Dzulkefly ( left ) added that national debt is now approaching 55 percent of GDP at more than RM450 billion, while contingent liabilities sit at more than RM100 billion.

“We want to remind him that populist measures have too many times overtaken measures for sustainability... to the extent that fundamental reforms to the economy are eschewed,” he told reporters at the PKR headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

Also at the press conference was PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali, who said that Pakatan will continue to highlight areas in their 2012 shadow budget which have not yet been implemented by the federal government.

“Some of them have been copied by the BN government, and we don’t mind. It’s a good thing,” he said.

Raya polls expected

He added that Pakatan is expecting polls to be called either in September or November.

He said that Najib, who is also prime minister, is likely to “capitalise on the festive mood” by calling for polls soon after Hari Raya Aidilfitri or the later Hari Raya Aidiladha.

As such seat negotiations are expected to be completed by September.

“There are only a few overlaps left, one seat in this state, another two in another state, maybe one more in another state. God willing, it will be resolved in the next meeting,” he said.

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