The rakyat must judge the government for themselves

By Zaidi Isham Ismail
[email protected]

Action speaks louder than words.

The adage can't be more true.

And after four economic stimulation packages, RM90 billion in aid the government's performance will come under scrutiny today.

A total of 220 members of parliament (MPs) will cast their votes today on whether to pass or reject the RM322.5 billion  Budget 2021.

The positive impact or the repercussion of today's outcome will be a decisive factor for the country which is now at a critical juncture for the country.

Finance Minister, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Aziz had said that even if the lawmakers disapprove the budget, 20% will still trickle through.

This is to allow essential services to sustain such as the civil services which include the RM17 billion allocation to battle against COVID-19.

Finance Ministry's National Budget director, Johan Mahmood told BFM that if the budget is not approved, it will cause dire consequences to the country.

By January the country could face a possible shutdown.

The rakyat will get to see who among the MPs are sincere in defending the rakyat's plight and who among them are just to serve their vested interests.

Eventually the rakyat will be able to sieve through the politicians who cares about the rakyat or are there just to jostle for position.

In a survey by Merdeka Center,  70% of respondents are happy with the government led by Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Thus tomorrow the rakyat can witness how the MPs will supposedly take care of them.

Oh Ei Sun, senior fellow at think tank Singapore Institute for International Affair said : "If the budget is passed salaries could be paid, money could still be allocated to fight the coronavirus and so on," he told CNBC.

What is certain so far is that Barisan Nasional information chief, Datuk Ahmad Maslan said that BN will support the budget but said that a surprise is in the offing.

"A surprise could be announced foday. It might not be something what we want fully but nevertheless BN will be getting something," he told Berita Harian.

PAS secretary general Datuk Takiyuddin Hassan meanwhile said PAS will fully support the budget.

Parti Pejuang founder Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad meanwhile said that it will also support the budget.

What is interesting is that the politicians might not necessarily support the stand of their own parties over the budget and hold their own views.

If the budget is not passed, then Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin would have to resign, dissolve the parliament and hold general elections.

But bear in mind that other politicians vying for the premier post such as Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim might not have the necessary support either.

The second scenario is that Muhyiddin would have an audience with the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong and a possible emergency will be declared.

The rakyat should not be swayed by all the politicking. Judge the government through its deeds.

Maybe perhaps in future, the rakyat should not vote for them in the next general elections for not taking care of their welfare.

During his daily press briefing on Wednesday, Health director general Tan Sri Noor Hisham Abdullah said this to the lawmakers : "Please vote wisely with the pandemic in mind." -  DagangNews.com

The writer is former NST Business assistant editor