KUCHING: Calls for an early dissolution of Parliament are ill-timed while Budget 2027 is still undergoing parliamentary scrutiny and approval, said Senator Dato' Ahmad Ibrahim.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Dewan Negara member said that although everyone was entitled to their political opinions, the implications must be considered before such demands are made.

"My concern is not about whether Parliament can be dissolved, but whether this is the appropriate time to do so," he said.

Dato' Ahmad, who is also Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on National Defence and Security, noted that Budget 2027, involving hundreds of billions of ringgit in government expenditure, is still before Parliament.

The Dewan Rakyat is scheduled to complete its committee-stage deliberations on 26 November, while the Dewan Negara will begin its deliberations on 30 November.

"The legislative process must be allowed to take its proper course," he said.

He acknowledged that under the Federal Constitution, the Prime Minister may request the dissolution of Parliament, subject to the discretion of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. However, he said this power does not mean its timing should be taken lightly.

Dato' Ahmad warned that if Parliament were dissolved before Budget 2027 completes the legislative process, the Supply Bill could lapse, requiring a new government and Parliament to reintroduce and approve the Budget.

This could delay the financial authorisations needed for government expenditure, development projects, infrastructure programmes and other commitments affecting millions of Malaysians, he said.

While constitutional mechanisms exist for temporary expenditure, he said, these arrangements would still require further legislative action.

He cited the precedent of October 2022, when Parliament was dissolved just three days after Budget 2023 was tabled.

In December 2022, Parliament then had to approve about RM107.7 billion in temporary operating expenditure to ensure continuity of government operations while awaiting approval of the full Budget.

"Why unnecessarily risk repeating such complications?" he asked.

Dato' Ahmad said Malaysia is already facing an increasingly uncertain global environment, from geopolitical tensions and economic instability to concerns over employment, food security and the rising cost of living.

"The last thing we need is additional uncertainty surrounding our national financial planning," he said.

As a Dewan Negara member, he said Parliament has an important responsibility to scrutinise government expenditure and ensure that public funds are allocated responsibly.

"An election can be held when the constitutional and political circumstances warrant it. But the nation's financial administration should not become an afterthought in the rush for political change," he said.

Questioning those pushing for immediate dissolution, Ahmad asked: "What is so urgent that we cannot first allow Parliament to complete the Budget 2027 process?"

He said an early dissolution may be constitutionally permissible, but that does not automatically make the timing prudent.

"Let us put the interests of the nation and the rakyat above political speculation. There is a time for politics, a time for elections, and a time to fulfil our responsibilities to the nation.

"Right now, Parliament has important unfinished business. Let us complete it responsibly," he said. -UKASnews

Translator: Uilson Ng