BARISAN Nasional will continue to support Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, said the coalition’s ministers and deputy ministers, but maintained a general election must be held as soon as the Covid-10 pandemic abates.

They said in a joint statement today it was important polls be held as soon as the public health situation permits to get a clear mandate from the people.

“We have agreed that the government formed by consensus, continues to be supported, and this includes fully backing the prime minister in undertaking a plan to restore the economy and the people’s health.

“And to ensure a more stable and solid government, we are of the view that a general election should be held as soon the health situation permits, to get a clear mandate from the people,” they said.

The ministers and deputies said the current pandemic has negatively impacted the country’s economy and the people’s wellbeing.

Hence, they said the country needs a stable government to ensure the recovery process can take place in an orderly manner.

“The first step in making this happen, is to ensure support and passing of Budget 2021 by all lawmakers.

“This is also in line with what the Yang di-Pertuan Agong advised before, for all MPs to firmly support the supply bill,” they said.

The statement was jointly issued by ministers Ismail Sabri Yaakob (defence), Wee Ka Siong (transport), M. Saravanan (human resources), Dr Noraini Ahmad (higher education), Annuar Musa (Federal Territories), Reezal Merican Naina Merican (youth and sports), Dr Shamsul Anuar Nasarah (energy and natural resource), Hishammuddin Hussein (foreign), Khairy Jamaluddin (science, technology and innovation), Halimah Mohamed Sadique (national unity) and Dr Adham Baba (health).

The following deputy ministers also made the joint declaration: Dr Ismail Mohamed Said (home), Abdul Rahman Mohamad (rural development), Dr Ismail Abd Muttalib (housing and local government) and Mohd Shahar Abdullah (finance).

The announcement comes ahead of a crucial Budget 2021 vote in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday.

Previously, BN made two demands – lump-sum withdrawals from Account 1 of the Employees’ Provident Fund and an extension of the loan moratorium – as a condition to support the budget.

There are 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat, but only 220 are occupied after the deaths of the Batu Sapi and Grik MPs.

Muhyiddin had counted 113 members as being on his side. – November 24, 2020.