Muhyiddin wins Budget 2021 vote: Here's what you need to know

THE Budget 2021 worth RM322.5 billion, deemed as the nation’s biggest ever has just been approved at the policy stage by the Dewan Rakyat,

It was passed, on Thursday despite a call by the Opposition for bloc voting.

While the budget awaits to enter its second round of approval, it surely heightens the stake for the Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, as 'his job is currently on the line', quoting a Bloomberg report on Thursday.

The war isn't over ...

The passing of Budget 2021 is a sure victory for Muhyiddin after months of 'doubts' on whether he holds a majority support in the Parliament.

The results will ensure that he remains in office for the time being as the budget is due for second rounds of debate.

The “committee stage” of Budget 2021 beginning Monday expects more rounds of voting and further scrutiny from members of Dewan Rakyat, to adjourn on Dec 15.

If the budget is not approved, only 20 per cent of the Budget can be spent namely “charged expenditure” which is essentially pensions and debt servicing, according to Maybank Investment Bank Bhd.

Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul bin Tengku Abdul Aziz presenting the Budget 2021 at parliament on 6 November. – foto BERNAMA

Bumpy road ahead

Losing the budget vote would be detrimental for a sitting prime minister as other Westminster parliamentary democracies equates the defeat to a total loss of confidence, said Deputy House Speaker, Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said.

Muhyiddin has been under intense pressure for the past months as he was not only able to replace the Dewan Rakyat speaker by a majority of just two votes but was further scrutinised after proposing to declare a state of emergency to tackle the pandemic, that in hindsight would allow him to pass the budget without approval from lawmakers.

It’s still unclear for how long he will maintain his position as there are increasing pressure to test his standing with motions of confidence and a possible election still in the horizon.