By Chris Bishop and Christopher Lidom
KUCHING, Aug 28: Budget 2023 will be tabled three weeks earlier on Oct 7, says Dato Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.
The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) said this is to provide the ministries involved with ample time to implement and distribute financial resources approved by Parliament.
“It was initially scheduled for Oct 29, but it will be too late as it will cause further delay for the financial resources to be allocate to the states and ministries.
“If the government wants the money to be allocated quickly, the tabling of the budget must be accelerated,” he said in a press conference held after attending the ‘Kenduri Rakyat’ programme at Kampung Bako Hilir, here today.
Meanwhile, when asked if the 15th General Election (GE15) will be held earlier, Wan Junaidi, who is also a Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) Supreme Council Working Committee member, pointed out that in the context of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and PBB, it is not a concern.
“Both GPS and PBB are ready at any time,” he said.
He further stressed that when GE15 will be held depends not only on Prime Minister Dato Sri Ismail Sabri Yaakob but the final decision lies with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
“If the Agong decides that there are still works to be settled, he can postpone the election. The power is in his hands. So we cannot guess the date arbitrarily.
“For other political parties out there, start doing your work. Don’t incite one another. Do your work,” he added. — DayakDaily
