New govt must table budget again if GE called soon - Zafrul

In the event a general election is called before the recently tabled Budget 2023 can be passed in Parliament, the new government has to retable a fresh budget, said Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz.

The finance minister said this today after reading his budget speech in Parliament, adding that such a situation happened in 1999 when then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad dissolved Parliament.

However, he said, this does not defeat the purpose of his ministry’s preparation for Budget 2023.

"This happened before. You can refer to what happened in 1999 when the dissolution of Parliament took place after the budget was presented. The budget was presented again. So, that is what will happen if there is a dissolution.

"But again, that question should be posted to the prime minister," he said at a press conference in Parliament today.

He said the tabling of a new budget will not be an exercise in redundancy for the Finance Ministry.

"The budget focuses on the future direction of the country, economic survey, and where are we going to be in terms of our gross domestic product, our targeted deficit. We also talk about plans for next year," he said.

Zafrul, who unveiled Budget 2023 in Dewan Rakyat earlier today, said his ministry held over 200 engagement sessions as well as gone through 250 memorandums and 120,000 proposals from the general public to produce the budget.

GE15 soon?

Speculation has been rife that Parliament would be dissolved to pave the way for the 15th general election soon.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob was granted an audience with Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah after the latter visited the National Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and those aligned with him have been pushing for the general election but his political rivals have cautioned against holding the polls amid the monsoon season.

Twelve Perikatan Nasional ministers have written to His Majesty, urging him not to agree to dissolve Parliament because the focus should be on ensuring the people’s welfare.

Malaysiakini reported that the Agong was concerned about holding the polls amid the northeast monsoon season when briefed on the potential year-end floods.

Environment and Water Minister Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, meanwhile, hinted that Parliament would be dissolved soon via a message on Twitter.

“Could be our last breakfast together,” he wrote.

More on Budget 2023

Budget 2023 - What’s in it for you?

RM372.3b - Finance minister unveils biggest budget ever

Budget 2023 - Love it or hate it?

Parliament dissolution question overshadows budget tabling

Budget 2023 - The big picture

Despite long goodies list, MP points to falling welfare spending

Civil servants to get up to extra RM2,500 next year

Minister: Govt can sustain salaries only if revenue grows faster

2pct income tax reduction, RM100 e-wallet top-up for M40

Public sector debt at RM1.44t, govt may extend 65pct statutory limit

New govt must table budget again if GE called soon - Zafrul

MMA hopes for transparent health budget implementation

Zafrul: GST reinstatement will be discussed in cabinet

'Budget 2023 proof of govt's commitment to protect Keluarga Malaysia’s interests'

Proposed 5-year tax exemption for women after 'career breaks'

RM15b announced for flood mitigation plan up to 2030

New category for Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia recipients

Increased rate for Supplementary Food Programme, early school aid

Fiscal Responsibility Act may require statutory limits on contingent liabilities

1MDB’s financial obligations stand at RM31.6b as of end-June 2022

ASB, ASB2 investment ceiling raised to RM300k

Malaysia's 2023 economic outlook remains favourable

RM15b announced for flood mitigation plan up to 2030

Civil servants to get up to extra RM2,500 next year

Ageing nation by 2050: Govt enhancing ecosystem for seniors

New category for Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia recipients

ASB, ASB2 investment ceiling raised to RM300k