Budget 2021: PH uses governing experience to scrutinise presentation

KUALA LUMPUR:Pakatan Harapan's experience in governing the previous government was used in scrutinising the 2021 Budget.

According to Lembah Pantai Member of Parliament, Fahmi Fadzil, negotiations were held with the Perikatan Nasional government instead of producing a document or 'shadow budget' as done by Barisan Nasional when they were the opposition previously.

“Previously when we were the opposition government, we did not have the experience to prepare the annual Budget.

"In a short time in 2018 and 2019 we managed to present it but this time, in the situation of COVID-19, we worked on the discussions and the essence including six main things that we brought in the meeting with Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul on November 1.

"The six basic things almost all involved the welfare of the people and the future of the economy as well as some important things.

“If we come up with a document, we will definitely detail out these six things," he explained during a post-Budget 2021 discussion on Agenda AWANI on Thursday night.

In fact, Fahmi said, the experience in the government bloc allowed MPs who held portfolios as Cabinet ministers previously to discuss some aspects that were their expertise.

“When we were in the government administration, the experience gained has helped us to scrutinise the 2021 Budget in more detail than last year.

"In fact, there are MPs who can debate with the experience in the administration such as former ministers who can emphasise some aspects that they know enough before," he said.