Sorry I won't be here for Budget 2022, says Zahid

KUALA LUMPUR: Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (BN-Bagan Datuk) will not be present in Parliament to vote on Budget 2022, as he will be receiving medical treatment in Germany from Oct 26 to Nov 21.

Ahmad Zahid told the Dewan Rakyat that the High Court had allowed him to temporarily retrieve his international passport for the medical treatment in Germany.

"As decided by the courts, I'm allowed to temporarily acquire my international passport from Oct 26 to Nov 21 and therefore, I apologise for not being able to take part in the voting of Budget 2022.

"But be confident, that my spirit is with the budget that will be tabled," he said, while interjecting during Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan’s (BN-Pontian) speech during the tabling of the Windfall Tax (Amendment) 2020 for second reading in Parliament.

Earlier, Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru) had interjected into Ahmad's speech, and asked if he could get an update on how long Ahmad Zahid would be overseas for medical treatment.

"Get well soon. But please explain how long you will be away and when you will be back," said Sim.

On Monday (Oct 11), the Shah Alam High Court allowed Ahmad Zahid's application for the temporary return of his passport.

On Oct 7, lawyer Hamidi Mohd Noh, who is part of Ahmad Zahid's defence team, had sought for Ahmad Zahid's passport to be released on Oct 26 and for it to be returned on Nov 21.

He had informed the Kuala Lumpur High court that Ahmad Zahid needed to get treatment from a leading specialist in Munich, Germany for his back and neck pain.

On Oct 11, the Kuala Lumpur High Court also allowed Ahmad Zahid's application for the temporary release of his passport.

Tuesday (Oct 12) is the last day in the current 17-day Parliament meeting, which began on Sept 13.

Parliament will reconvene again on Oct 25 and Budget 2022 will be tabled on Oct 29.