Budget 2023 unlikely to influence voters for upcoming state polls: analysts

[superadmin]

KUALA LUMPUR – Neither the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim nor the opposition should take Budget 2023 as an opportunity to rest on its laurels for the upcoming elections in six states, said political analysts. 

Noting that voters are unlikely to be swayed from their political stance by the offerings or lack thereof in the budget, they also said Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Anwar and his administration should remain on their toes going into the state elections.

The heads of the governments of Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu had recently agreed to consider dissolving their respective state assemblies in the last two weeks of June.

For National Council of Professors senior fellow Prof Jeniri Amir, the budget will probably be understood as a presentation of how Putrajaya intends to aid citizens instead of a showy display of election goodies.

“The focus of the budget is on actions (set to be taken by the government) on how to revive the economy after the Covid-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on reducing the burden faced by the people because of an economic crisis.

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