KUCHING: Parliament should be allowed to complete the Budget 2027 approval process before any decision is made to dissolve it for an early general election.
Senator Datuk Ahmad Ibrahim said dissolving Parliament before the legislative process was completed could disrupt the government’s financial administration and delay funding for development projects, infrastructure programmes and other government commitments.
Ahmad, who is also Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on National Defence and Security, said the Dewan Rakyat was scheduled to complete its committee-stage deliberations on November 26, while the Dewan Negara would begin its deliberations on November 30.
He stressed that Parliament’s responsibility to scrutinise government expenditure and ensure public funds were allocated responsibly should not be overlooked amid calls for an early election.
“An early dissolution may be constitutionally permissible, but that does not automatically make the timing prudent,” he said in a statement today (Nov 14).
He explained that under the Federal Constitution, the Prime Minister could request the dissolution of Parliament, subject to the constitutional discretion of His Majesty the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
However, he cautioned that dissolving Parliament before Budget 2027 completed the necessary legislative process could cause the Supply Bill to lapse, requiring a new government and Parliament to reintroduce and approve the Budget.
This could delay the necessary financial authorisations for government expenditure and affect the implementation of various programmes.
Ahmad cited the 2022 experience, when Parliament was dissolved three days after Budget 2023 was tabled in October that year.
In December 2022, Parliament subsequently approved approximately RM107.7 billion in temporary operating expenditure to ensure the continuity of government operations while awaiting approval of the full Budget.
He said Malaysia should avoid repeating such complications, particularly amid global uncertainties involving geopolitical tensions, economic instability, employment concerns, food security and the rising cost of living.
“The last thing we need is additional uncertainty surrounding our national financial planning,” he said.
He added that while an election could be held when constitutional and political circumstances warranted it, the country’s financial administration should not be overlooked in the pursuit of political change.
Ahmad urged those calling for an immediate dissolution to consider whether there was sufficient urgency to justify interrupting the Budget 2027 process.
“Let us put the interests of the nation and the rakyat above political speculation. Right now, Parliament has important unfinished business. Let us complete it responsibly,” he said.
