Mukhriz says ‘no approval’ for budget unless 12 amendments made

(FMT) – Mukhriz Mahathir (Ind-Jerlun) today said his group will reject the 2021 budget unless 12 amendments are made.

Expressing disappointment over the budget proposals, he said they will not help the rakyat facing “stormy days”.

Among the amendments, he said, is the dropping of all deputy ministers until the Covid-19 pandemic is over and postponing all upgrading work at government buildings, which will cost RM736.6 million.

“We will reject the budget unless amendments are made” he said during the debate on the 2021 budget at the Dewan Rakyat.

Mukhriz said the budget, which is the biggest so far, lacks empathy as aid for the public is “usual, even during these unprecedented times”.

He questioned the intention to spend “hundreds of millions on upgrading government buildings, and the additional RM4 billion – from RM7.9 billion previously to RM11.7 billion next year – for the Prime Minister’s Department.

He also asked for the salaries of all ministers to be cut by 30% until the pandemic is over.