[ Laman Ehwal Semasa ReformIS ]
Date: 04 Aug 1999
Time: 01:56:17
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House 'unlikely' to be dissolved after the Budget
By M. Krishnamoorthy
KUALA LUMPUR: Going by convention, it is very unlikely Parliament will be dissolved after the Budget is tabled, according to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tun Zahir Ismail.
First Finance Minister Tun Daim Zainuddin is expected to table this year's Budget on Oct 22.
"Normally, the Prime Minister will not dissolve Parliament after the Budget is presented," Zahir said.
However, he said there was nothing in the Constitution or Standing Orders that the Dewan Rakyat cannot be dissolved after the Budget has been presented.
Traditionally, the Budget is presented in the third or fourth week of October.
Last Tuesday, the Dewan Rakyat was adjourned indefinitely. It is anticipated the next Parliament meeting will begin on Oct 12.
After the Budget has been tabled, the debate would commence with the Opposition Leader and other MPs raising issues on it.
After being passed by the Dewan Rakyat, the Dewan Negara will continue with the debate before approving it. The Dewan Negara is expected to end its meeting only in December.
Once the Budget is approved by the Dewan Negara, it is then forwarded to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to be gazetted.
The gazetting of the Budget usually takes place in the first two weeks of January.
In 1990, the election day was Oct 21, and the Budget was only presented on Dec 14 that year.