KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- The first week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting, which commenced last Monday, featured a significant agenda including the presentation of the Supply (Budget) Bill 2026, the approval of several other bills, and a historic briefing session by Special Select Committees.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also Finance Minister, tabled the fourth budget under the MADANI Government yesterday, which also marks the first budget under the 13th Malaysia Plan (MP13) framework.
Themed Belanjawan MADANI Keempat: Belanjawan Rakyat, Budget 2026 allocated RM470 billion in public expenditure, comprising RM338.2 billion for operating expenses and RM81 billion for development, alongside investments from government-linked companies (RM30 billion), public-private partnerships (RM10 billion), as well as federal statutory bodies and companies under the Minister of Finance Incorporated (RM10.8 billion).
According to the parliamentary schedule, Budget 2026 will be debated at the policy level for eight days starting this Monday, followed by four days of ministerial replies beginning Oct 29, before proceeding to the committee stage debate for 14 days from Nov 5.
The first week also broke new ground by allocating a full day for Special Select Committee chairs to present their reports and engage in debates on current issues.
The Special Select Committees on Infrastructure, Transport, and Communications; Environment, Science, and Plantation; and Women, Children, and Community Development delivered their briefings.
They addressed several critical issues, including the recent gas pipeline explosion in Putra Heights, the potential and future direction of national groundwater resource development, and challenges in early childhood care and education in Malaysia.
In his ruling, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul described the session as a significant parliamentary reform measure aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and empowering the role of these committees.
The week also saw the cancellation of Tuesday's Ministers' Question Time (MQT) as the Prime Minister was summoned to attend the Conference of Rulers' meeting at Istana Negara. The parliamentary sitting proceeded with the regular oral question-and-answer session.
The MQT session, held every Tuesday, provides a dedicated platform for members of parliament to pose questions directly to the Prime Minister on various current issues, while other Cabinet ministers answer the Thursday session.
Also commanding attention this week was the debate on the motion for the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 3/2025 concerning the 2024 Financial Statements of Federal Agencies. The report scrutinised issues of financial leakage, regulatory non-compliance, and weaknesses in national financial management.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said emphasised that the tabling of the LKAN in the Dewan Rakyat proves the effectiveness of the national financial audit mechanism.
"Only through debate and scrutiny can we rectify weaknesses, understand reprimands, and improve the system. This demonstrates that the MADANI Government is not afraid of criticism but instead welcomes feedback to address shortcomings," she said, adding that this marked the sixth time the LKAN had been tabled and debated in the Dewan Rakyat.
Two Bills were passed during this week's session: the Hire-Purchase (Amendment) Bill 2025, which abolishes the use of the flat interest rate and Rule 78 for fixed-rate hire-purchase loans, and the Private Agencies (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at streamlining the issuance and renewal processes for private agency licences.
Additionally, several other issues captured parliamentary attention, including Malaysia's stance on the US-proposed Gaza peace plan, the proposed separation of powers between the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor, citizenship grants through naturalisation, and the controversy surrounding a gala dinner that served alcoholic beverages.
The Ministerial Explanation Session by Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories), regarding the redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru also drew significant interest, when she clarified that the area had never been gazetted as a Malay Agricultural Settlement or Malay reserve land.
The Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament for the Dewan Rakyat will run for 35 days until Dec 4.
-- BERNAMA
