Parliament can approve partial budget for 2023 if time is short, says Tengku Zafrul

KUALA LUMPUR: Parliament can approve a partial budget if it does not re-table and approve Budget 2023 by the end of the year, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz (pic).

The former finance minister said this was provided for under Section 102(a) of the Federal Constitution.

"This is to pass a partial budget (should there be) insufficient time to approve a budget before the start of the new financial year.

"This means that Parliament can call for a session to approve a partial budget by Dec 31, from the one tabled earlier this year," he said in a statement on Friday (Nov 25).

Tengku Zafrul said this happened in 1999 when Parliament was dissolved and a general election called after the tabling of Budget 2000.

"There was a special Parliament session before the end of 1999 after the general election to approve a partial budget for the year 2000.

"Budget 2000 was tabled on Oct 29, 1999 and Parliament was dissolved on Nov 11. The general election was held on Nov 29.

"A Parliament session was held on Dec 20 that year to approve a partial budget.

"The following year (2000) the new Budget was then tabled for approval on Feb 25," he added.

Tengku Zafrul said this might happen again this year.

"While some may ask why not wait till next year rather than approve a partial budget, it should be noted that the country would not be able to run smoothly without it.

"The government still needs to look into the maintenance of public services and the needs of the people including the disabled, aged and low-income families.

"Subsidies need to be put into force as well.

"This is why the Constitution gives allowance for a partial budget in case of a situation like this one," he said.

Tengku Zafrul tabled Budget 2023 on Oct 7, three days before Parliament was dissolved.