PUTRAJAYA should engage with all lawmakers on the amendments that should be made to Budget 2021 instead of issuing threats on no salaries for civil servants and front-liners if the budget is not passed, said Liew Chin Tong.

“The government should not use the salary allocation for civil servants and front-line health workers as a tool to threaten MPs into approving the budget,” the DAP senator said in a video.

“Instead, the government should engage MPs from both sides and amend the budget to ensure it is adequate to save Malaysian lives and livelihoods,” he added.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz said recently that Putrajaya will not be able to fulfil its commitments, including paying civil servants and dispensing assistance to front-liners, if the budget is not approved. 

Liew said it was still not too late for the government to adopt a unity budget. 

He added that Putrajaya should realise it was time for leaders from both sides to work together to face this once-in-a-century crisis together.

Liew said there were four major crises the government has to deal with – health, jobs and climate as well as digitalisation. 

He said although Budget 2021, which sees a mammoth allocation of RM322.5 billion – the largest spending plan in history – it does not adequately address the four issues. 

Commenting on the gross domestic product growth projection of 6.5-7% for 2020 and a fiscal deficit target of 5.4%, Liew said this was certainly not the time to go on a fiscal austerity drive. 

“This is the time to spend wisely. Spend at the right place and on the right things,” he said.

He added that it was unfortunate the government has misplaced its priorities by spending on the “wrong” things. 

“It is unfortunate the government is playing politics in this time,” he said. 

He said the people would suffer if funds were not channeled to the right areas.

“The finance minister, prime minister and other ministers should attend budget debates in the Dewan Rakyat to take note of ideas that could be incorporated in the amended supply bill.

“Otherwise, why should we have a debate? The government should not expect Parliament to accept the presentation of the budget in its entirety. The government should allow for amendments,” he said.

Liew also reminded the Perikatan Nasional government it has a slim majority and that Umno will not be voting in its favour on every count. 

Therefore, it has to be humble and engage MPs on the budget, he added. – November 22, 2020.