KUALA LUMPUR: A backbencher expressed disappointment with government ministers as none of them were present in the Dewan Rakyat when he was debating the 2027 budget this evening.
Hassan Karim (PH-Pasir Gudang) observed that most MPs present during his speech were from the opposition.
"I want to express my sadness. While I'm debating, not a single minister is around. I'm a backbencher. I want to support this budget.
"There are a lot of good things in this budget, but the ones here listening to me are mostly my friends in the opposition ... none from (the Cabinet)," he said.
Hassan, of PKR, voiced support for the government's move to strengthen Parliament's independence.
He said Malaysians did not have to fear changes in government so long as the opposition was given the freedom to carry out its function as a check and balance on the government.
He nonetheless urged the government to enact a law mandating equal constituency development funds for all MPs, saying these allocations should not be distributed at the prime minister's discretion.
"Who knows, after this, perhaps the Madani administration will no longer be in power," he said.