At 9:35 AM on May 29, at the Parliament Building, House Speaker Mr. Wan Muhamad Noor Matha addressed the media regarding the previous day’s (May 28) special parliamentary session. He stated that discussions on royal decrees and legal matters proceeded smoothly. Regarding the budget bill, the Prime Minister presented the draft with extensive detail, and he believed both Parliament and the public gained a clearer understanding of the government's budgetary intentions.
He noted that the opposition, especially the opposition leader, provided constructive debate, suggesting ways the government and budget users could improve budget utilization to better benefit the public. He urged all sectors—government, opposition, and budget handlers—to consider these recommendations when managing future budgets.
He added that after May 31, a 72-member committee would be formed to review, revise, and enhance the budget to ensure maximum public benefit. The committee will have 105 days to complete its work so that the 2026 budget can be implemented on schedule.
When asked about the notably sparse attendance during the five-hour budget session, with some MPs leaving the chamber, he responded that while not all MPs remained in the chamber, most were still engaged—either in their offices, committee rooms, or attending to other duties. He assured that many followed the debate via television or radio. Even he, at times not present in the chamber, listened closely to the entire discussion. He emphasized that the debate was well-prepared and engaging, reflecting significant improvement from previous years.
Regarding whether ministers should be present throughout, he explained that ministers are expected to respond to relevant topics and many were scheduled to answer questions today and tomorrow. He emphasized that parliamentary debates serve the public, not just the MPs, as responses are broadcast to the nation and media for further scrutiny. He concluded that this year’s budget presentation marked notable progress.