Govt to adopt inclusive approach, consider opposition views on national matters - PM

He said the government would adopt an inclusive approach when it came to getting and considering the views of all parties.

He described the engagement sessions between Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz and Pakatan Harapan (PH) leaders in drafting Budget 2021 as a good start.

"So, for me, this is the first step. I think for the next step, I want invite the opposition to sit together in, let's say, the Economic Action Council that I chair every week.

"Or (cooperate) in handling COVID-19 problems in meetings that I chair daily,” he said in the Agenda AWANI television talk show tonight.

Commenting further, Muhyiddin said such cooperation was also good in finding the best solutions to overcome any issues or problems that arise.

"(If) they (opposition) say that the steps we take are not effective, they must present their proposals on how to make them effective.

"(This is) Not a matter of getting credit for themselves but for the benefit of the people. This new approach is more suitable for moving ahead,” he said.

Asked if he was also ready to take a similar or bipartisan approach in political matters, Muhyiddin said all things must be done in stages.

"It must be one step at a time, but the main thing now is the problem faced by the people and not issues about politics or parties. That (politics) is surely there in our agenda, but what's most important is COVID-19 and economic revival,” he said.

Asked about the statement by Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who claimed that Budget 2021 did not have the impetus to stimulate and revive the country's economy, Muhyiddin said he was open to the views and inputs from all parties.

He said the country's economy was projected to recover to between 6.5 and 7.5 per cent in 2021 compared to the expected growth of between -3.5 and -5.5 per cent this year.

"So when (Anwar) states there is no impact, from minus (projection this year) to +6.5 or 7.5 per cent (next year)… that is a huge impetus because not all countries will face such a situation.

"Some countries will (it is expected) be worse than that. Their economy is on the verge of collapsing,” he said.