Zahid meets Zafrul over BN's budget demands ahead of vote

 

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has met Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz over BN’s demands regarding the Budget 2021 proposal today, ahead of tomorrow’s expected vote on it.

Umno Youth chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the meeting took place at noon today, where they discussed loosening the conditions for withdrawals from the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) Account 1 and the extension of the moratorium on the repayment of loans.

“God willing, there will hopefully be good news in the finance minister’s winding-up speech tomorrow,” he said.

Also present at the meeting were Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan, and supreme council members Shahidan Kassim and Tajuddin Abdul Rahman.

They were representing 42 BN lawmakers at the meeting with Zafrul, Asyraf said through his Facebook account.

Meanwhile, the Perikatan Nasional Backbencher’s Club (PNBBC), which includes BN Dewan Rakyat members, said they have unanimously agreed to vote in favour of the budget proposal tomorrow.

“The decision is a collective one of all PN MPs who have graciously set aside all differences to ensure the wellbeing of the people and economic resilience. Our priority is to face the Covid-19 crisis for the people.

“We also give our full commitment, support, and trust for the Pagoh MP (Muhyiddin Yassin’s) leadership as prime minister,” they said in a statement.

The PNBBC comprises backbenchers from BN, Bersatu, PAS, Parti Solidariti Tanah Airku, Gabungan Parti Sarawak, and some independent MPs.

Earlier, ministers and deputy ministers from BN had said they will continue to support Muhyiddin, while maintaining that an election should be held as soon as the public health situation allows.

Ahmad had previously said BN will only support the budget proposal if the coalition’s two demands are met, and Zafrul would have until Thursday to consider the matter.

BN has been calling for the loan moratorium to be extended for up to six months for B40 and M40 income earners who qualify.

It also urged the government to allow funds to be withdrawn from EPF Account 1 to help cope with the financial pressures due to the pandemic. - Mkini

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