THE opposition will decide on its vote for Budget 2021 in the third reading of the supply bill, said coalition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

“This is just the second reading (the policy stage). Then we have the committee stage… the third reading,” the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman said in a press conference today.

“It is still so early for Perikatan Nasional to be overjoyed,” he said in a press conference this afternoon.

Even after the bill’s passing at the policy stage today, it will still be scrutinised and voted on according to the funding for each ministry.

Anwar said PH will call for a revision of the budget in whichever areas deemed necessary.

“Whether we approve will be decided in the final third reading,” he said.

The budget at policy stage was passed today by a voice vote, after an insufficient number of MPs stood up to demand a division vote (vote by individual count).

Parliament will begin debating the bill at the committee stage on Monday, when the expenditure of each ministry will be scrutinised.

The bill could still falter at this stage as each ministry’s funding has to be voted on to be approved.

Anwar said Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz evaded substantive fundamental issues, such as the revenue and economic growth projection raised by lawmakers.

He also said the opposition coalition considered the additional incentives announced for front-liners before allowed the bill to be passed at the policy stage.

“I don’t want to be seen as ignoring the fact that the minister has taken some measures. Although we have rejected the fundamental issues, there are some measures which we feel are more acceptable to the rakyat,” he said.

The Port Dickson MP said he appealed to his colleagues Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to allow the budget to be passed in the second reading by making their position known. 

He said the finance minister will have to spell out funding in more detail. – November 26, 2020.