1999 Parliament dissolution may recur if Budget not supported - Analyst

KUALA LUMPUR: The dissolution of Parliament in 1999 during the administration of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad could be repeated if the 2021 Budget does not have the support of the majority of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat.

According to political analyst from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian, the move can be taken by the government if the 2021 Budget does not get the support of the majority in the Dewan Rakyat.

"What happened in 1999, when the Budget was tabled on November 11, 1999, was the announcement by the former Prime Minister that the dissolution would take place.

"That was the first time in the history of the Parliamentary session to be dissolved, involving the Budget that has been tabled was stopped until after the election results (announced) (and) the Budget was tabled again.

"Does this mean that the situation can recur? The situation can recur if the government still does not have support and feels that it is the best step rather than letting it be tabled for winding up and see no support," he said in an interview with Astro AWANI on Monday.

Apart from that, the Prime Minister can also advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to dissolve Parliament or appoint a new prime minister to ensure that the current government functions.

"Secondly, if there is no support, it will certainly be assumed by some parties as if it is a matter of confidence and trust in the leadership today and maybe the Prime Minister will advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong whether to dissolve Parliament or appoint a new prime minister.

"This does not mean that the government falls, the government will still function and at the same time the Prime Minister can deny that if it does not succeed in Parliament, it does not mean the government has no legitimacy.

"In fact, an emergency can be proposed, meaning the responsibility to get the attention of the agreement on this Budget is transferred to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, these are some things that can happen," he added.