IT is unlikely that the stimulus package to cushion the economic impact of the Covid-19 outbreak will be announced on Thursday, said Ong Kian Ming.

The former deputy international trade and industry minister said the funding for the package has yet to be approved before the cabinet was dissolved yesterday. 

Ministers were supposed to discuss and approve the funding at their weekly meeting tomorrow. 

Ong said former finance minister Lim Guan Eng was also supposed to have briefed Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday, but that did not take place due to the sudden political developments which were kicked off by the prime minister’s resignation. 

“Would have been approved on cabinet tomorrow. So, no, it wasn’t approved,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“Very unlikely that the fiscal stimulus package will be announced on Thursday since there is no government in place,” he added.

Dr Mahathir was supposed to announce a stimulus package on February 27.

But political maneuverings led to the dissolution of the PH government and its cabinet yesterday when Dr Mahathir resigned as prime minister.

Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali yesterday said the Agong has accepted Dr Mahathir’s resignation, but appointed him as interim prime minister until a new appointment to the post is made.

A second statement from Zuki said that the services of cabinet members have ended with the resignation of the prime minister.

This means that the country is currently without a government.

The Malaysian Insight is also trying to get the Prime Minister’s Office’s response.

As the interim prime minister, Dr Mahathir can perform the usual functions of the head of executive but it is uncertain if he would proceed with the announcement of the stimulus package. – February 25, 2020.