FRANKLY, the proposed Budget 2023 that was tabled at parliament yesterday was nothing to shout about.

With the next general election around the corner, one could pretty much anticipate that a substantial chunk would entail goodies and sweeteners.

Having said that, the next big question in everyone’s mind is will the parliament be dissolved within the next few days before any debate is started on the proposed budget?

Speculations have spread like wildfire that there is a high possibility that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will do so as this budget could be worked into Umno/Barisan Nasional’s (BN) manifesto.

But will this strategy work in favour of Umno/BN or backfire?

The PM is caught between a rock and a hard place.

On the one hand, he is under tremendous pressure by his own party to call for snap polls.

And on the other, he has the opposition and even a portion of his own cabinet ministers who are against it.

While he has kept everyone on the edge of their seats thus far, the public is getting agitated, restless and even nauseated with all the uncertainties.

First, there was talk that parliament would be dissolved on October 6, one day before Budget 2023 was scheduled to be tabled. It didn’t happen. 

The prime minister has only two options: Call for election as soon as possible without debating the budget or go all the way and get it approved before dissolution of parliament. 

The first option is indeed much riskier for him. 

There is a high chance that several states, namely Penang, Malacca, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Selangor may not dissolve their respective legislative assemblies.

The other risk he has to bear is the threat of heavy rain and flooding that could bungle the entire election exercise. 

Imagine the logistical nightmare if there is prolonged flooding leading up to polling day.

It will be wiser for him to call a general election in the first quarter of 2023.

If Ismail strongly believes that the budget presented is indeed robust and good for the people, then it is only logical that he rides on its tide.

But whatever said and done, there is no guarantee that he will become prime minister after the election, much less if Umno/BN does not get a clear majority. 

We could very well end up with a hung parliament and history may quickly repeat itself with another rickety unity or coalition government.

Imagine that scenario happening with an unapproved budget hanging over our heads.

So, who is the prime minister’s priority, his fellow citizens or the warlords in Umno? 

Only Ismail can answer that. Does he want to be perceived as subservient to party leaders or be regarded as a rational, thinking man who considers the welfare of all Malaysians? – October 8, 2022.

* Narinder Pal reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.