KUALA LUMPUR: The Budget, scheduled to be tabled on Oct 28, will now be held earlier.
It is now expected to be presented in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 7 - three weeks earlier than scheduled.
The Cabinet, which met on Friday (Aug 26), was informed of the decision by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob.
The decision is regarded as an indication that the general election will be held soon.
Barisan Nasional officials, in reacting to the news, said the Parliament could be dissolved after the Budget is tabled.
Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz will present the Budget when the Dewan meets again on Oct 3.
Following the Cabinet’s directive, the next step will be to inform Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun, who needs at least 28 days to inform the Members of Parliament of the new date.
The decision to hold an earlier Budget is being made ahead of the special Umno meeting on Saturday (Aug 27) where leaders are expected to push for a general election to be held soon.
The present Parliament term ends in July 2023.
Barisan leaders said Parliament could be dissolved after the Budget is tabled.
"Political developments are moving very fast as the GE tempo will now be accelerated," said one Barisan leader.
