PETALING JAYA: A PKR backbencher has told Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin to prove he has the support of the Dewan Rakyat first if he wants MPs to evaluate the national budget based on merit.
Speaking to FMT, Hassan Karim, the Pasir Gudang MP, said the issue of the opposition using the budget vote to topple the government would not arise if Muhyiddin had resolved the questions over the support he enjoyed in Parliament.
Yesterday, Muhyiddin, who is PPBM president, said there was no need for anyone to reject the budget to force a general election, and that he too wanted fresh polls once the Covid-19 pandemic situation improves.
Hassan says opposition MPs do not want to wager the budget to determine if Muhyiddin has majority support or not.
“But Muhyiddin has to first resolve the issue of the motion of no confidence against him. If he does not want a motion of no confidence, then he has to go for a motion of confidence.”
While he agrees that the budget must be evaluated based on merit, Hassan said the process is being restricted by Muhyiddin’s refusal to prove his majority support in the Dewan Rakyat.
“If Muhyiddin does not respect the motion of no confidence, Pakatan Harapan has no other choice. So, the budget vote becomes an objective way to determine if Muhyiddin has the support or not, whether the government is lawful or not.”
He added that it was not too late for Muhyiddin to push for a motion of confidence for his government before the third reading of the budget.
Muhyiddin, he said, should not wager his support on the budget, saying it was “irresponsible”.
Hassan also said Muhyiddin’s claim that elections would be held after the Covid-19 situation improves is an attempt to avoid the fundamental question of whether he enjoys the support of all MPs now.
Meanwhile, Amanah communications director Khalid Samad voiced doubt that Muhyiddin really wants fresh elections.
He said he believes Muhyiddin will only call for snap polls if he is afraid of being toppled through betrayal.