KUALA LUMPUR: Despite Budget 2021 passing at the policy stage, the government knows it has to face another obstacle before it is truly passed and is not about to celebrate too soon, says Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.
The International Trade and Industry Minister said Budget 2021 is not something to be taken lightly and that was why the government took the time to answer and address issues raised by MPs in Parliament.
"This is no cause for celebration. The only ones politicising it are the Opposition," he said when met at a hotel here where Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) held its supreme council meeting Friday (Nov 27).
Azmin said this in response to Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's warning to the government not to celebrate their victory in passing Budget 2021 at the policy stage just yet.
On Thursday (Nov 26), Anwar cautioned that the Budget could still be blocked when it enters the committee stage starting Monday (Nov 30).
Budget 2021 was passed at the policy stage in Parliament on Thursday with a voice vote.
Azmin said the RM322.5bil Budget is meant to help people whose lives were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as help the country's economy recover.
He said the government had also consulted the Opposition to get their views on the Budget before it was tabled in Parliament.
"Pakatan Harapan has never taken such an open approach," he said.
He said Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz also took the time to scrutinise what could be done now and what could be done down the road when drafting the Budget.
"This is not a one-off Budget so it must be dynamic and we needed an inclusive approach to respond to current needs," he said.
He said the government will continue with its approach to respond to any issues raised in order to get Budget 2021 passed.
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