PETALING JAYA, Oct 29 (Sin Chew Daily) — Bar Council human rights committee co-chairperson Andrew Khoo Chin Hock said Members of Parliament must act to the best interest of the people, as they are voted into office by the people.

As such, he said MPs can choose to support or reject the 2021 Budget to be tabled by the Perikatan Nasional government next week.

He told Sin Chew Daily MPs can choose to listen to the advice of any party, including His Majesty Yang di-Pertuan Agong, but they need not be subjected to it.

It they do not support the Budget, MPs can choose to abstain or cast a "nay" vote.

If the Budget is not passed in the Dewan Rakyat, it can be tabled and voted again in the next parliamentary sitting.

Meanwhile, constitutional expert Aziz Bar said from the legal point of view, an MP has the free will to decide whether to support or reject the Budget.

Aziz, who is also the opposition leader in the Perak state legislative assembly said the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's advice is only a suggestion and MPs can decide on their own whether to support or reject the Budget.