Push for vote of confidence, surely Budget will be passed - Johari

The former Finance Minister II stressed that the issue disputed by most MPs now was confidence in the government of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and not just to politicise the Budget.

"This time, many of the MPs are disputing the clarity or 'absolute majority' that exists.

"That is the question, not so much to not pass or pass (the Budget)," he said when contacted by Astro AWANI.

"To solve this problem, if the government can allow a vote of confidence in the government, I believe this Budget will be passed by all MPs," he said.

Johari added, “If that is the will of politicians, then we bring a motion of confidence or no confidence in Parliament to show that this government has power or not.

"If the motion of confidence can be increased, once the Budget is passed, the government can get a majority."

Johari also explained that political issues need to be separated from economic interests when the country is still facing economic uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We cannot mix politics with the economic position we face today because the pandemic, economy and running of the government need to run as usual,” he said when commenting on the question of whether the PN government has the confidence in Parliament ahead of the 2021 Budget vote on November 25.

At the same time, Johari is of the view that Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah's action to withdraw from debating the 2021 Budget does not violate the needs of the Dewan Rakyat.

However, he also said that the people were always watching whether MPs carry out their responsibilities or not.

"The people are watching us all, whether we carry out our responsibilities as MPs, especially in issues involving economic position and political stability," he said.