Parliamentarians Urged to Debate Significant Issues
Government Backbencher Calls for Shadow Budget
KUALA LUMPUR: Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin has urged senior Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs to debate significant issues in the Dewan Rakyat. According to him, the opposition is obliged to play the role of check and balance and come up with a shadow budget.
The Importance of a Shadow Budget
Sim Tze Tzin believes that PN should reveal its version of the national budget, as it is an important practice. He pointed out that Pakatan Harapan (PH) consistently unveiled an alternative budget between 2010 and 2017 when the coalition was the opposition.
Shadow Budget: A Key Practice
"The unity government has tabled the national budget thrice, but I have yet to see a shadow budget by the opposition. Is the opposition leader playing his role?" Sim asked, referring to Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut). He made this statement during a debate on the 2025 budget in the Dewan Rakyat.
Increase in National Budget
Last week, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim tabled a budget of RM421 billion, the first time allocations had exceeded RM400 billion. The sum represented a RM27.2 billion increase compared to the RM393.8 billion allocated for 2024.
Call for Maturity in Debating
Sim also pleaded with opposition MPs, especially those who have served several terms, to display some maturity when debating in the lower house. "The ‘senior’ MPs should debate weighty issues instead of questioning if the prime minister receives a salary, trivial matters which is something that cybertroopers can take on."
Conclusion
By urging senior PN MPs to debate significant issues and calling for a shadow budget, Sim Tze Tzin emphasizes the importance of maintaining effective checks and balances in the parliamentary system. His call for maturity in debating also highlights the need for opposition MPs to focus on important policy issues rather than trivial matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the significance of a shadow budget?
A shadow budget is an alternative budget prepared by the opposition to scrutinize the government’s budget plans. - Why is a shadow budget important?
A shadow budget is essential to provide checks and balances in the legislative process, ensuring that the government’s policies are thoroughly reviewed and debated. - Why did Sim Tze Tzin urge senior PN MPs to debate significant issues?
Sim Tze Tzin believes that senior PN MPs have a responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the debate in the Dewan Rakyat, rather than engaging in trivial matters.