PAS will ‘not support or oppose’ budget proposals

PAS will not be taking any side during the voting process for Budget 2016.

Pasir Mas MP Nik Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz said the party lawmakers will abstain from contributing their votes in the Dewan Rakyat.

Nik Abduh, who is also PAS Youth chief, said although some of the announcements in the budget benefit Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak, it was also meant to take care of the wellfare of the rakyat.

“Though we will not support (the budget) as there are things we are opposing, we will not oppose either as the budget is meant to benefit Malaysians,” he said.

“Therefore, we (PAS) will remain neutral,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby here yesterday.

Opposition parties PKR, Amanah and DAP have agreed to vote against the budget to protest Najib’s leadership.

A successful vote against the budget is akin to a vote of no-confidence against the prime minister.

Nik Abduh said PAS will give its contribution of ideas to improve the budget if invited by the government.

He said among issues rejected by PAS is the Goods and Services Tax, which is seen as burdening the rakyat.

Nik Abduh also denied speculation that PAS’ reason from abstaining to vote could be taken as a sign it would cooperate with Barisan Nasional in the next election.

“No political cooperation with BN. There is only cooperation to assist the rakyat,” he said.

“We will remain an opposition and have no intention to be with BN.”