PERIKATAN Nasional rushed out RM295 billion stimulus package after the Covid-19 outbreak without tabling it in Dewan Rakyat because the people cannot afford to wait for MPs to debate the matter, said Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin.

“Our problem was on how to contain the pandemic and the government had no choice but to take action before MPs debated it,” he said in reply to opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim today during Dewan Rakyat’s first question-and-answer session this year.

“People were waiting for aid and could not wait for the stimulus packages to be debated first as businesses had stopped,” said Muhyiddin (Pagoh-Bersatu).

“Although it has not been tabled, the finance minister will do this soon.”

Anwar (Port Dickson-Pakatan Harapan) had asked why the government did not allow MPs to debate the stimulus packages before they were announced to the public.

“Why were MPs not allowed to debate the stimulus packages for the economy, when at the same time the government was more concerned with appointing its MPs to posts in GLCs (government linked companies)?” asked Anwar.

The first Dewan Rakyat sitting of the year scheduled for March but postponed following the change of governments.

Under Perikatan, Dewan Rakyat held a two-hour sitting on May 18 where the government limited the day’s agenda to the royal address.

Today is also the first time Muhyiddin has faced direct questions from MPs amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Malaysia instituted a movement control order from March 18 and only began to ease restrictions June 10 onwards.

During the lockdown, Muhyiddin announced several stimulus packages worth around RM295 billion. The stimulus packages have not been approved by Parliament yet.

Meanwhile, Muhyiddin brushed off Ahmad Maslan’s (Pontian-BN) question on how the government planned to tackle the budget deficit as a result of the stimulus packages.

“The government is aware of the statutory ceilings on borrowings and expenditure and will do what is necessary,” said Muhyiddin.

“The government was under pressure to announce a stimulus package. Many countries have also done it. Meanwhile, we will have to look for internal sources to generate enough money to finance these stimulus packages.”

Last year, the government approved a national budget of RM297 billion.

During a webinar last month, newly appointed Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz said Malaysia’s fiscal deficit is expected to be around 5.8%-6% in 2020. – July 13, 2020.