An abuse of power to hold GE after tabling budget, says Guan Eng

An abuse of power to hold GE after tabling budget, says Guan Eng

The DAP chairman says Umno should not use the nation's resources for 'political and personal interests'.

Lim Guan Eng has criticised Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan for suggesting that GE15 be called after the tabling of the 2023 budget in October (Bernama pic)
PETALING JAYA:
DAP chairman Lim Guan Eng has slammed a suggestion for the general election to be held soon after the tabling of the 2023 budget, calling it an abuse of power as it would mean using the budget announcements for political and personal interests.

Yesterday, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan, who has been pushing for early elections, said the best time for GE15 would be after the 2023 budget is tabled in October, though it must have the “wow factor”.

Mohamad, also known as Tok Mat, said this was necessary as the 2023 budget represented the work of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob.

Lim said despite the fact that Ismail was from Barisan Nasional (BN) and an Umno vice-president, the national budget had to be inclusive and not be used as a political tool.

“The national budget should be for the benefit of the public and not for Umno or its cronies to buy votes,” Utusan Malaysia quoted him as saying.

He noted that the prime minister had the power to advise the Yang di-Pertuan Agong regarding the dissolution of Parliament and the date for GE15.

However, he insisted that GE15 be held next year, adding that the government should focus first on resolving issues involving the welfare of the people.

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