Zahid dismisses Muhyiddin’s claims
PORT DICKSON: Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has dismissed Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s allegation that the 2017 Budget was unrealistic and failed to address the issue of reduced national income.
He said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak had engaged industry players in preparing the budget.
“The budget was not prepared hastily. A lot of consultations and research were done, such as with Khazanah Nasional Bhd, private firms, the banking sector and research agencies, to prepare the budget.
“The current economic situation and expectations on the nation’s revenue next year were taken into consideration,” he said, adding that although the budget was a deficit budget, the government had the fiscal means to cater to the target groups.
“The deficit is only a small percentage, which people can understand... But perhaps (Muhyiddin) refuses to admit this because he’s now in a different camp,” Zahid said after the passing out parade for Immigration assistant superintendents for Series 2 2016 at the Malaysian Immigration Academy here yesterday.
He said Muhyiddin should not ignore that the gross domestic product had a positive growth rate.
Present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali.
presenting the Best Cadet award to at the passing out parade for Immigration assistant superintendents for Series 2 2016 at the Malaysian Immigration Academy in Port Dickson yesterday. He is flanked by Immigration director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali (left) and Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan. Pic by Iqmal Haqim Rosman