The party founded by former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad said there was no basis for such an argument, with its legal team accusing Tengku Zafrul Aziz of making a threat to ensure the budget will be passed.
Calling out academicians who also supported Tengku Zafrul’s statement, Pejuang said it was the constitutional right of MPs to either support or reject the budget.
“The government and academicians must respect the constitutional rights and the duties of MPs by not making threats,” the party’s legal team said, adding that Zafrul should not intimidate and use civil servants to ensure political survival.
Pejuang said the emoluments for civil servants and expenditures for frontliners including medical and health equipment will not be affected if the budget is rejected.
Citing Article 102, Pejuang said the Federal Constitution allows a new government that replaced the Perikatan Nasional (PN) government to table a new budget.
“For the record, the 2000 budget was presented by the then finance minister (Mahathir) in the Dewan Rakyat on Oct 29, 1999 but before it was approved, the Dewan Rakyat was dissolved on Nov 11, 1999 to make way for the 10th general election.
“In order to manage government spending, pending the approval of the 2000 budget, a temporary provision was approved by the Dewan Rakyat on Dec 20, 1999 to pay the salaries of civil servants, among others,” it said.
Other MPs and groups have also voiced their objection to the statement made by Tengku Zafrul, with opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim among the first to go on the attack.
The PKR president slammed the finance minister for his “tasteless statement that seems to be a threat and part of a plan to cast aside the voice of the majority of MPs.”
Last Saturday, Tengku Zafrul said Putrajaya will not be able to fulfil its commitments, including paying civil servants’ wages and dispensing assistance to frontliners, if Parliament did not approve the budget.
“For me, if this budget can help our country then there is no reason for it not to be approved. 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,” the finance minister said.