Prime Minister Muhyiddn Yassin, who yesterday urged MPs to set aside their political differences to pass the Budget during the upcoming Parliament sitting, had arrived at 12.20pm.

Among others at the meeting were Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and Transport Minister and MCA president Wee Ka Siong. All of them have since left.

Sarawak Chief Minister and GPS chairman Abang Johari Openg, PBS president Maximus Ongkili and MIC president S Vigneswaran have also left the meeting.

One source in the know said the meeting was to ensure support for Budget 2021, which will be tabled on Friday.

“It’s normal for the leaders of the parties in the government to meet before any parliamentary sitting,” said the source.

International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali and Pasir Puteh MP Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh of PAS are among those who entered around 3pm.

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.

Istana Negara rejected the government’s call to declare a state of emergency last Sunday. On Monday, Muhyiddin held a meeting with party chiefs and the Cabinet in Putrajaya, with a PN insider telling FMT that the meeting was to seek support for the budget.

The insider said not all Umno MPs are in support of Budget 2021 as there are factions within the party pushing for fresh elections.

Speaking at a nationally televised address yesterday, Muhyiddin said he hoped “all parliamentarians can put aside political differences to ensure that Budget 2021 is approved in the interest of the people and the country”.