Budget 2023 may now be tabled on Oct 7

SHAH ALAM - The 2023 budget will no longer be tabled on Oct 28 as it is expected to be presented in Dewan Rakyat on Oct 7.

English news portal The Star reported the cabinet was informed of the decision by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today to bring forward the date three weeks earlier.

This could be an indicator that the 15th General Election (GE15) will be held soon.

Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz would present the Budget after the Dewan meeting on Oct 3.

Following the Cabinet decision, the next step would be to notify Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun who required at least 28 days to notify Members of Parliament of the new date.

Meanwhile, Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives said the Parliament could be dissolved after the Budget is tabled.

Earlier this morning, Deputy Finance Minister 1 Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah confirmed that Budget 2023 will be tabled on Oct 28 as scheduled in the Parliament's calendar.