PN ready to take on Umno 'arrogance' after 'wasteful' budget process, says Azmin

Perikatan Nasional (PN) information chief Mohamed Azmin Ali today labelled the budget presentation last week an exercise in futility following the prime minister's move to dissolve Parliament, paving the way for a year-end election widely expected to take place amid the annual monsoon-season floods. 

Azmin, a member of the Bersatu Supreme Council, said the recent political developments showed that Umno had failed to empathise with the people and to stand with them amid the challenging economic and weather-related conditions. 

"The tabling of Budget 2023 was in vain – a waste of time and energy for the members of the public service who had worked hard to prepare it.

"Our priority should be helping the people overcome the current challenges and restart their lives on more secure footing," he said in a statement. 

Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob announced the dissolution of Parliament on Oct 10, saying this would return the mandate to the people to elect a stable, strong and respectable government. 

PN later said while it maintained its view that now was not the right time to hold a general election, it would respect Ismail's decision, in line with the constitution and the consent obtained from Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah. 

In his statement today, Azmin said PN would not be intimidated by Umno's "stubbornness and arrogance". 

"PN will participate in the election, determined to continue its agenda of caring for the people and raising their dignity alongside that of the country. 

"PN is committed to taking steps to generate national wealth, drive sustainable economic growth, provide quality job opportunities, improve people's living standards and ensure shared prosperity."