KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional leaders downplayed the meeting between the Prime Minister and Perikatan Nasional leaders at the Hilton here as nothing out of the ordinary.
When met by reporters at the lobby on Sunday (Nov 1), MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said it was normal to have a meeting before the start of a new Parliament meeting.
"It's normal to have it to list down the proceedings. It has been done in the past," he said.
When asked if the subject of Budget 2021 was brought up, Dr Wee said he did not want to comment as it will be tabled soon.
He also said Finance Minister Datuk Tengku Zafrul Aziz already revealed that he would meet with the Opposition to get their views on the budget.
Dr Wee met with reporters after a meeting between Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Perikatan leaders at the hotel.
Other leaders spotted included Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang who did not give any comment.
GPS chairman Datuk Abang Abdul Rahman Johari Abang Openg also left without addressing the media.
MIC president Tan Sri Dr S. Vigneswaran also downplayed the meeting saying it was just "makan" (lunch).
It is learnt that the meeting with Perikatan leaders, which started around 12.30pm, ended around 2pm and Muhyiddin met with Perikatan party whips after.
When approached after the meeting that lasted about two hours, Perikatan whip Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said that the meeting was just to update chief whips on the latest developments.
"Its just a government pre-council among chief whips where the Prime Minister informs us on the latest developments to prepare for the coming Parliamentary session.
"It's just for updates," he said.
Muhyiddin also remained mum after the meeting and left the hotel at around 5pm without addressing the press.
