NEWS
Minister Says Frontliners Can’t Be Paid If 2021 Budget Is Not Approved, Netizens Are Not Happy
The 2021 Budget recently presented by the Ministry of Finance has got Malaysians feeling all sorts of things on both spectrums.
Some allocations were strongly opposed, some were apparently left out, and some just made you scratch your head and go 'huh?'.
The 2021 Budget was tabled two Fridays ago (6 November), and it is currently pending for approval by the Dewan Rakyat.
Following the news, Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz acknowledged that if the budget was not approved, a host of problems would entail.
According to Bernama, Zafrul said that the government would not be able to carry out its commitments, including paying the salaries of civil servants and assistance for frontliners in the war against COVID-19, if the 2021 Budget was not given the green light.
No approval, no pay

However, he was optimistic that the Budget would eventually be approved.
"For me, if this Budget can help our country, then there is no reason for it not to be approved, or rejected (in the Dewan Rakyat),” he said.
"If it's rejected, in terms of the economy, we will not be able to fund the government's commitments, including disbursing aid to the people."
His statement caused anger amongst netizens as many alleged that the minister and government are hiding behind frontliners in order to get the budget approved.
Netizens are not happy
His statement caused anger amongst netizens as many alleged that the minister and government are hiding behind frontliners in order to get the budget approved.Some also felt that it was a distasteful statement.
Here's what netizens are saying:
Zafrul,How about using your salary to pay the frontliners first while we discuss further on the Budget2021?It is not good to threaten the people. Your salary come from the Budget too... https://t.co/Dc88RC27UU— Tun M (@AngryTunM) November 16, 2020
So now the government threatening the Rakyat? @tzafrul_aziz Can you tell me what your deputies had done so far? How many Malaysian do even know about them? Why don’t you scrap deputy ministers positions in the cabinet and use the money to the Rakyat. #Belanjawan2021 https://t.co/hbDd3YVkp8— S A T E S H V I N D A N ?? (@SateshVindan) November 16, 2020
Im fuming wtf dorg UGUT rakyat?! Is this or none wtf im so mad idk what to do bcs IM. SO. MAD https://t.co/hamUS24nrf— Amal (@amaliaaashari) November 15, 2020
Don't use frontliners as your pawn. https://t.co/MjygwAsRmk— ℌ????? ? (@TOKGAWA21) November 15, 2020
Using frontliners as human shields.. https://t.co/ZET30RwLAa— Adrian Lasimbang (@lasimbang) November 15, 2020
Frontliners are meant to protect us from Covid-19, not to protect your job lah. https://t.co/9t4KVhoyD5— Dr Jason Leong ?? (@DrJasonLeong) November 15, 2020
Blackmail. Threaten."And this government may not be the government that you voted for. But I want all of you to know that this government cares for you."A govt tht truly cares won't table a half past six budget and use frontliners as hostage. https://t.co/8x6NIF5pVL— Michelle Ng (@michellengms) November 15, 2020
First they used emergency, now they use frontliners. My way or no way. Very pathetic kind of politics. https://t.co/THkyaF7QOC— Yeo Bee Yin (@yeobeeyin) November 15, 2020
Ok then the frontliners can just stop working and see how you guys cope with the pandemic lmao https://t.co/l3iGu3SgOX— ? (@ndrrrr) November 15, 2020
never ever use threat to gain confidence. you’ll lose. be more professional & diplomatic, Tengku. https://t.co/iVbEYe01v1— Aliya Ashiqin ?? (@itsaliaoki) November 15, 2020
The 2021 Budget was recently tabled on 6 November with the largest allocation in the country's history at RM322.5 billion.Adui. Tengku Zafrul proved to us that regardless which uni u graduated from ,it doesn’t define your leadership or mindset. https://t.co/6hF8PI9MNa— AmyZulkiflee (@nazulkiflee1) November 14, 2020
Let's hope the government finds a way to iron all these issues out.
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