Budget 2023 tabled for first reading

KUALA LUMPUR: Budget 2023, technically dubbed Supply Bill 2023, has been tabled for its first reading in the Dewan Rakyat.

This paves the way for its second tabling tomorrow, which is expected to be read out by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz.

Tabling the Bill yesterday, Deputy Finance Minister I Datuk Indera Mohd Shahar Abdullah told the House that the second reading was scheduled for 4pm on Friday.

After the tabling of the Budget, the Dewan Rakyat will then be adjourned to Monday, when debates over the Bill will begin. By convention, the Opposition leader will get the first go at debating the Budget.

According to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun, it will take a maximum of 33 days to discuss Budget 2023 after the tabling tomorrow.

Parliament’s Standing Orders provides for a maximum of 13 days for debate at the policy stage, followed by the maximum of 20 days for debate at the committee stage.

If the Bill is approved by MPs, it will then be read out for the third time before it goes to the Dewan Negara for debate by senators.

Speculation is rife that Parliament may be dissolved before Budget 2023 is approved to make way for the 15th General Election.

The current Dewan Rakyat meeting is scheduled to end on Nov 29.

In BENTONG, Pahang Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail told reporters that the state budget would still be tabled at the state assembly tomorrow.

The tabling of the federal Budget was originally set for Oct 28.

“The state budget will still be tabled as scheduled on Oct 7 ... no changes so far,” he was quoted by Bernama as telling reporters after the reopening of route FT008 of Bentong-Gua Musang road here yesterday.

Asked if the state assembly would be dissolved simultaneously with the dissolution of Parliament, Wan Rosdy said the matter had not been discussed.