<p>Malaysia's government Friday unveiled a blockbuster 2021 budget aimed at cushioning the coronavirus impact, with the embattled prime minister hoping for strong support to strengthen his tenuous hold on power.</p>.<p>Muhyiddin Yassin's eight-month-old administration is highly unstable, with only a wafer-thin majority in parliament and under intense pressure from the opposition.</p>.<p>Political turmoil intensified last month after the king rejected Muhyiddin's request to declare a state of emergency -- a move he claimed was aimed at fighting the virus, but which critics said was a bid to cling to power.</p>.<p>The budget, which will be debated and voted on in the coming weeks, is seen as a test of confidence in Muhyiddin's shaky administration and defeat could lead to its collapse.</p>.<p>However, most now expect it to pass as MPs wants to avoid a general election as the country faces a resurgence in virus cases, and Muhyiddin has called for cross-party support.</p>.<p>The premier said the 2021 budget would "continue to focus on protecting the livelihood and welfare of the people, revitalising and supporting the economy".</p>.<p>The government increased spending by 2.5 per cent to 322.5 billion ringgit ($78 billion) from 2020, with a substantial chunk aimed at combatting Covid-19.</p>.<p>Authorities estimated that the economy, which contracted sharply this year, will rebound strongly in 2021, growing 6.5-7.5 per cent.</p>.<p>Malaysia has had a relatively mild virus outbreak but cases climbed sharply in recent weeks, leading authorities to re-impose some curbs.</p>.<p>Muhyiddin, who took power in March without a vote after a reformist government collapsed, faces a challenge from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and there have been rumblings of discontent from his coalition partners.</p>
<p>Malaysia's government Friday unveiled a blockbuster 2021 budget aimed at cushioning the coronavirus impact, with the embattled prime minister hoping for strong support to strengthen his tenuous hold on power.</p>.<p>Muhyiddin Yassin's eight-month-old administration is highly unstable, with only a wafer-thin majority in parliament and under intense pressure from the opposition.</p>.<p>Political turmoil intensified last month after the king rejected Muhyiddin's request to declare a state of emergency -- a move he claimed was aimed at fighting the virus, but which critics said was a bid to cling to power.</p>.<p>The budget, which will be debated and voted on in the coming weeks, is seen as a test of confidence in Muhyiddin's shaky administration and defeat could lead to its collapse.</p>.<p>However, most now expect it to pass as MPs wants to avoid a general election as the country faces a resurgence in virus cases, and Muhyiddin has called for cross-party support.</p>.<p>The premier said the 2021 budget would "continue to focus on protecting the livelihood and welfare of the people, revitalising and supporting the economy".</p>.<p>The government increased spending by 2.5 per cent to 322.5 billion ringgit ($78 billion) from 2020, with a substantial chunk aimed at combatting Covid-19.</p>.<p>Authorities estimated that the economy, which contracted sharply this year, will rebound strongly in 2021, growing 6.5-7.5 per cent.</p>.<p>Malaysia has had a relatively mild virus outbreak but cases climbed sharply in recent weeks, leading authorities to re-impose some curbs.</p>.<p>Muhyiddin, who took power in March without a vote after a reformist government collapsed, faces a challenge from opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and there have been rumblings of discontent from his coalition partners.</p>