There is no need to coerce MPs to pass Budget, says Saifuddin

Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. -Bernama filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: There is no need to resort to pressure or threats to secure support from MPs in the Dewan Rakyat to pass Budget 2024, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

“It’s a wild allegation. Why do we need to do so? We currently have the support of 147 MPs in Parliament.

“If it is to pass the Budget and Bills, I think it is sufficient.

“There is no need for us to do what was previously done by them,” the Pakatan Harapan secretary-general told a press conference yesterday.

Saifuddin Nasution, who is also the Home Minister, alluded to the administration of Perikatan Nasional, which courted a number of Pakatan lawmakers to switch allegiance following the Sheraton Move in 2020.

A government Budget or Bill can be passed in the Dewan Rakyat through a voice or majority vote if a bloc vote is requested.A two-thirds majority or 148 votes is needed only for amendments to the Federal Constitution.Saifuddin Nasution was asked to comment on the recent allegation by Perikatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin that opposition Kuala Kangsar MP Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid had been threatened and intimidated to support the administration led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Iskandar Dzulkarnain had on Oct 12 declared his support for the Prime Minister’s economic policies in exchange for extra constituency funds, but said he would remain loyal to Bersatu.

Hamzah, who is Opposition Leader and also Bersatu secretary-general, claimed that Iskandar Dzulkarnain was brought to meet a top officer of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission on Oct 1 and threatened with graft charges if he refused to sign a statement stating his backing for the government.On Tuesday, Iskandar Dzulkarnain took to social media to brush off Hamzah’s claim, adding that he was not pressured to support the Prime Minister but acted only as a means to get funds for his constituents.

Meanwhile, Saifuddin Nasution said the onus was on Hamzah to prove his allegation.