Azmin plays down ‘normal’ meeting of PN leaders

Azmin plays down ‘normal’ meeting of PN leaders

The meeting comes after intense speculation that MPs might vote against Budget 2021.

Mohamed Azmin Ali said the prime minister informed them about the latest developments and what they needed to prepare for the parliamentary sitting.
KUALA LUMPUR:
International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali has sought to play down the significance of today’s meeting of Perikatan Nasional (PN) leaders at a prominent hotel in the capital, saying it was a “normal” gathering.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin was joined by ministers and PN leaders from about 12.20pm. The discussions were believed to centre around Budget 2021, which will be tabled on Friday.

“It’s just a normal pre-council among the chief whips,” said Azmin after the meeting ended.

“The prime minister informed us about the latest developments and what we need to prepare for the next (parliamentary) sitting.

“It’s just an update,” added Azmin, who is one of the four senior ministers in the PN government.

The PN coalition has a thin majority in Parliament and there has been intense speculation that MPs might vote against the budget, which would automatically lead to the resignation of Muhyiddin and his Cabinet and pave the way for a general election.

Among the party leaders who were present at the meeting include Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, transport minister and MCA president Wee Ka Siong, MIC president S Vigneswaran and PBS president Maximus Ongkili.

Also present were Sarawak chief minister and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg as well as Sabah Deputy Chief Minister and STAR president Jeffrey Kitingan.

Meanwhile, leaders from PKR, DAP and Amanah were in Putrajaya for a meeting with Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz about Pakatan Harapan’s proposals for Budget 2021.

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