KUALA LUMPUR:Malaysia Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin called on lawmakers on Saturday to ensure the country's 2021 budget is passed to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I hope all parliamentarians can put aside political differences to ensure that the 2021 Budget is approved in the interest of the people and the country," he said in a televised address.

He also said elections must be held in Sabah and Sarawak states despite a recent spike in COVID-19 infections, unless a state of emergency is declared.