Dewan Rakyat News In Brief: Aug 14

SARAWAK-KALIMANTAN BORDER WALL FEASIBILITY STUDY TO START DURING 13MP

KUALA LUMPUR -- A feasibility study for the construction of a five-kilometre wall and security road along both sides of the existing Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex in Sarawak is set to begin during the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) period.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, said that the project, proposed by the National Security Council (MKN), is aimed at enhancing security control along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border.

“This project is part of the MADANI Government’s initiative to enhance the effectiveness of the country’s border control in an organised manner, as well as to close or reduce illegal routes, frequently used for smuggling activities and the entry of illegal immigrants,” she said during a question-and-answer session at the Dewan Rakyat, today.

She was responding to a question from Roy Angau Gingkoi (GPS-Lubok Antu) on whether the MKN had plans to develop a border security road alignment along the Sarawak-Kalimantan border, to strengthen security control in the area.

Dr Zaliha added that the implementation of the project is expected to reinforce monitoring, prevention, and enforcement capabilities in the border area in a more integrated manner.

-- BERNAMA

OVER 187,000 INDIVIDUALS FREED FROM BANKRUPTCY SINCE 2023 

KUALA LUMPUR -- The Department of Insolvency has successfully discharged 187,652 individuals from bankruptcy between March 2023 and June 2025, said Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), M. Kulasegaran.

He added that the figure also includes those aged 40 and below, with debts not exceeding RM200,000.

“This achievement aligns with the Second Chance Policy target of freeing 200,000 people by the end of 2025, and demonstrates the MADANI government’s commitment to implementing reforms that directly benefit the people,” he said, in response to a question from Rodziah Ismail (PH-Ampang), during the oral question-and-answer session.

Rodziah sought clarification from the Prime Minister on the total number of young people under 40, with debts not exceeding RM200,000, who fall within the expanded scope of the Second Chance Policy under Budget 2024, which targets the discharge of approximately 200,000 individuals from bankruptcy by the end of 2025.

-- BERNAMA

MALAYSIA MAINTAINS STANCE THAT AUKUS COULD THREATEN PEACE, STABILITY IN SOUTHEAST ASIA - ADLY

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia maintains its stance that the security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (AUKUS) could pose a threat to peace and stability in Southeast Asia, particularly in the South China Sea.

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari said that the Defence Ministry is closely monitoring developments within the three-nation alliance, particularly plans to deploy nuclear-powered submarines in the region, including within Malaysia’s maritime zones.

“This cooperation could potentially provoke other powers to act more aggressively, increasing tensions and the risk of miscalculations.

“To ensure that AUKUS does not negatively affect countries in the region, the Ministry of Defence is conducting constructive engagement sessions with AUKUS member states through diplomatic channels, as well as holding meetings with counterparts on bilateral and multilateral platforms,” he said in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Adly said this in his reply to a question from Datuk Dr Nik Muhammad Zawawi Salleh (PN-Pasir Puteh), during the question-and-answer session, about the ministry’s measures to ensure Malaysia’s maritime security and maintain strategic balance, following AUKUS’s plan to deploy nuclear-powered submarines in ASEAN waters, including near Malaysia’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

-- BERNAMA