KUALA LUMPUR: An opposition leader has applauded Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein's criticism of cabinet ministers who he claimed were not particularly "interested" in the 2024 Budget as it is a substantiated claim.
Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the Sembrong MP's statement was with evidence as there were many ministers and deputy ministers who were not present in the budget debate.
"I applaud and congratulate the government MPs who are brave to state their criticisms of the government's policies.
"To me, his (Hishammuddin) statement is appropriate as in this seating, oftentimes there's no minister and deputy minister in the Dewan Rakyat to follow the debates... There have been a couple of times where the bell was rung as we don't have enough quorum.
"In previous seatings during the time of the two previous prime ministers, there were reminders for ministers and deputy ministers to attend," he told the New Straits Times.
He added that even though not all ministers attended the previous budget debates all the time, their officers would be there to take note of the debates.
Yesterday, Hishammuddin reprimanded the unity government ministers, claiming that they were not particularly "interested" in the 2024 Budget.
He said while he closely followed the budget announcement by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim earlier this month, there had been no immediate action taken, especially by cabinet ministers.
Hishammuddin said cabinet ministers should put themselves in people's shoes, feel their hardships and consider their concerns.