Is Budget 2023 Void?

Budget 2023 has no legality with Parliament now dissolved before it (Budget) was approved. The Federal spending plan for next year would only remain a Bill until it undergoes the complete process of debate and voting approval. Consequently, any measures or policies announced in the budget cannot be implemented until a new one is tabled by the next government. The same Bill could be tabled again in order for it to proceed to the second reading when debate could take place, or a new one submitted entirely. Either scenario could lead to significant delays in passing Budget 2023 as both would have to wait until the 15th Parliament is sworn in, which could be weeks or months after the general election.

Source: https://budget.mof.gov.my

The tabling of Budget 2023 was expedited by three weeks to October 7 and on hindsight reflects a propaganda piece or perhaps an election manifesto.

In 1999, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was the prime minister at the time, sought the dissolution of Parliament shortly after the tabling of Budget 2000 in November, and his finance minister was forced to table another one at the end of February 2000 or around three months later, after Barisan Nasional prevailed.

It is a disservice to Malaysians at a time when the country should be grappling urgently with an impending monsoon, a cost-of-living crisis and a rapidly depreciating currency. The present Budget does not take care of anybody’s needs, including the civil service (since it is not approved as yet). On all accounts it was an academic exercise and a pure waste of many people’s time. Commentaries were made by many including accounting firms, captains of industry, academics and newspapers/media columnists on the positives of the Budget. But it all seems rather futile in the light of what has happened. Will the PM or FM remain in a new Government? That is for the voters to decide. Meanwhile, this Budget could be said to be dead on arrival!

Reference:

Budget 2023 void if Parliament disbands before its passage, constitutional experts say, Opalyn Mok, The Malay Mail, 2 Oct 2022