Opposition should realise the budget is a people's issue - Dr Subramaniam

The opposition should have been more mature and rational during the tabling of Budget 2017 in the Dewan Rakyat two days ago, as the budget was a people's issue, and not a political one.

MIC president Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam said the opposition's action of leaving the Dewan Rakyat midway through the Budget announcement clearly showed they did not prioritise and take seriously the issues of the people.

"What was done by the opposition whereby they didn't respect the proceedings in the tabling of the 2017 Budget was very sad, because the budget is an important agenda of parliamentary democracy in the country.

"The budget covers various aspects of the development and welfare of the country and the people from the issue of schools, hospitals and all other basic requirements that are important to people, and if we do not present the budget and approve it, the government would not be able to run the following year," he told reporters after presenting Deepavali contributions on behalf of MIC Melaka, here on Sunday.

Subramaniam had presented food hampers and cash contributions to more than 350 recipients among the less fortunate in the Indian community who did not receive welfare assistance in Melaka.

During the tabling of 2017 Budget by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak in Parliament on Friday, several members of parliament from the opposition walked out of the House after provocating Najib and causing a ruckus which forced Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia to intervene.

Elaborating further, Dr Subramaniam said opposition MPs should act in line with the responsibilities entrusted to them by the people to listen and understand the 2017 Budget, and disseminate information to the people.

He said their actions were also believed to undermine the trust and confidence of the people in their leadership for not fulfilling the hopes of people who voted for them.

In another development, Dr Subramaniam said the Ministry of Health would continue to plan various programmes to increase people's involvement at a grassroots level, to strengthen the national health agenda.

"It will be implemented through the 'Komuniti Sihat Perkasa Negara' (KOSPEN) or 'Healthy Community Empowers the Nation' and Communication for Behavioural Impact (COMBI) programmes together with volunteers, by improving their skills and abilities to achieve the ministry's agenda," he said. - Bernama