KUALA LUMPUR: The timely advice by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to support the upcoming tabling of the 2021 Budget must be heeded by all members of parliament (MPs).
Chairman of the Alliance for Safe Community Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said the King's call for all MPs to support the budget clearly shows that Al-Sultan Abdullah has been very much in touch with the ground.
"The King has been talking heavily about the affairs of the nation, where his concern lies in the country, its stability, and the welfare of the people.
"Hence, all MPs should put aside their differences and give their support for the 2021 Budget," he told New Straits Times today.
Lee said the upcoming budget would outline proposals on how to address various issues that the country is currently facing, especially with regards to Covid-19.
"These include how to equip the Health Ministry with funds and allocations, as well as the necessary measures to tackle Covid-19.
"Also measures to help badly affected groups due to Covid-19, along with a lot of proposals to be tabled. Hence, the budget must be approved."
Lee said that should the budget did not get approval, there will be no government spending, and without the budget, many people will be affected.
Lee said Parliament is the only appropriate place to pass the budget, following the role of parliamentary institution.
"There are too many issues right now in the country and tough times for everybody. Hence, they (the MPs) must have the commonality that can bring them together.
"It should be the stability of the country, the welfare of the people, and tackling the crisis of Covid.
"These are so important and override the politicking."
Lee said the opposition MPs should be allowed to express their views on the 2021 Budget.
"The opposition MPs, of course, they want to be free to speak up, to ask questions about the budget and seek clarifications from the ministers, among others.
"However, when it comes to passing the budget, they must give their support because it is for the interest of the country.
"The budget is for the country, for the people and especially when the country is facing a crisis."
Lee said he believed that all the MPs are matured enough and will heed to the advice of the King.
"Although all the MPs have their political ideologies, when it comes to the funds to be spent for the country and people to tackle the crisis, I think they should give their support to the budget.
"The politics will go on and we cannot expect the MPs not to talk about politics. However, it should be done at the right time, after we have managed to deal with various issues and rehabilitate the economy while waiting for the vaccine."
Lee said from his point of view, most parties were responding well to the advice by the King.
"They know the urgency of the situation. (And) coming from the King, they also want to show their respect."
Yesterday, Al-Sultan Abdullah advised MPs to fully support the 2021 Budget for the sake of harmony and the rakyat's livelihood as well as for economic recovery, all of which have suffered due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement issued by Comptroller of the Royal Household Datuk Ahmad Fadil Shamsuddin, the King stressed that the budget, due to be tabled in Dewan Rakyat on Nov 6, was important to the government and the authorities, particularly front liners to continue implementing policies and carry out efforts to curb the pandemic.
The King also reminded MPs that political squabbling for personal interest would not benefit the country and the people would become victims at a time the country was still battling threats brought on by Covid-19.
Ahmad Fadil said the King made this decree after an audience with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for the pre-Cabinet meeting at Istana Negara earlier yesterday.