Barisan Nasional believes the yet to be approved Budget 2023 is an asset to them, with their supporters are taking it as their election manifesto. Unfortunately for them, a yearly government budget is no replacement for a 5-year manifesto. To me, using Budget 2023 as a manifesto, with its process halted midway, is a sign of irresponsibility.
Irresponsibility, because we are no longer living in at a time when BN is assured of returning to power. It could be PH, PN or any other permutation out there. If a different government gets elected, the budget process will have to be recalibrated. Any government will want to execute their own agenda. Indeed, even if BN gets into power, there is no guarantee Budget 2023 will not change. Even BN PM candidate is uncertain, with assurance given incredible.
The smooth running of the government should sit beyond partisan politics, but BN places that below their political fortune. The risk of disruption to the budget process is of no cost to them, but only to the people of Malaysia at a time when the global economy is risking recession.
Such irresponsibility of course should be apparent to many in the past two years through various instances of double standard in the application of rules during the Covid-19 pandemic that brought so many unnecessary deaths.
But such irresponsibility should not be a surprise. After all, BN wants a general election during flooding season. Just like during the pandemic, they are willing to gamble our lives for their partisan benefits.
The Budget 2023, unapproved, and risked being redone, is just yet another example of BN irresponsibility.
