Agong again asks MPs to back Muhyiddin’s Budget, stresses need for economic recovery

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 — Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah asked federal lawmakers today to extend their support when Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s tables Budget 2021.

Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin said the Agong was concerned about the state of the economy and the welfare of Malaysians, which Al-Sultan said was at risk due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Al-Sultan Abdullah stressed that the Budget 2021, which will be tabled in Parliament soon, is crucial to the government, authorities, especially the frontliners, to soldier on and implement policies, as well as efforts to contain and address the threat of this virus from spreading.

“Therefore, Al-Sultan Abdullah urges all MPs to respect his decree advising them to immediately stop all political tussles and to instead focus on the welfare of the people and the wellness of the nation, so that the Budget 2021 can be passed without any interruption,” Ahmad Fadil said in a statement.

The Agong first made the call on Sunday after announcing that he disagreed with the Muhyiddin administration’s bid to seek a proclamation of emergency in Malaysia, but this did not stop the political parties from resuming hostilities the next day.

In the statement, the Agong also reminded politicians, claiming that their self-serving political battle would only ruin the nation, with the public ultimately falling victims owing to the political instability, especially at a time when the nation is struggling to fight the Covid-19 outbreak.

The statement today was issued after the Agong met Muhyiddin at the National Palace, for the weekly pre-Cabinet briefing.

The Agong also expressed hope that Budget 202 would focus on economic recovery and the likelihood of the nation affected by the raging pandemic.

On Muhyiddin’s position, the Agong said that he also has full confidence in the former’s leadership to chart the nation’s journey, in the current pandemic era.

Muhyiddin’s support in Parliament came under question again after Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met the Agong, and claimed to have won the support of over 120 MPs to take over the government.

Earlier today, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun said that lawmakers have submitted more than 16 parliamentary motions of no-confidence against Muhyiddin.

Azhar said he was scrutinising each for inclusion into Parliament’s agenda when the Lower House convenes from November 2.

Parliament will sit from November 2 to December 15 for its next meeting and the Budget 2021 is scheduled to be tabled on November 6.

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