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First day of Dewan Rakyat focuses on post Asean 2025 foreign policy, cost of haj

First day of Dewan Rakyat focuses on post Asean 2025 foreign policy, cost of haj

KUALA LUMPUR: The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament of Dewan Rakyat which opens today will see debates on the direction of the country's foreign policy after the Asean 2025 Chairmanship, digital transformation and the issue of increasing hajj costs as among the main agendas.
According to the meeting Order Paper displayed on the Parliament portal, Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) raised a question about the future of Malaysia's foreign policy to the Foreign Minister during the oral question and answer session.
He wants to know how the policy could help Malaysia navigate the increasingly complex and dynamic Indo-Pacific geopolitical landscape.
The digitalisation of the country also received attention when Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) asked the Prime Minister to explain the progress of the implementation of the MYDigital initiative, especially regarding the registration of MyDigital ID, the integration of government systems with digital platforms, and its impact on the delivery of public services.
The issue of digital transformation continued with a question from V. Sivakumar (PH-Batu Gajah) to the Digital Minister who wanted to know the country's preparedness for the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution including technology transfer strategies, local talent development, as well as the level of AI integration in governance and key economic sectors.
Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) also asked the Prime Minister regarding the justification for the increase in the 2025 haj cost, the status of Tabung Haji investments and the amount of unused Malaysian haj quota for the years 2020 to 2025.
After the question and answer session, the sitting will continue with the tabling of the second reading of several bills including the Consumer Credit Act 2025 and the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Members of Parliament are also expected to focus on the motion to debate the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) 2023 (Statute Paper 80 of 2025).
Apart from that, two other documents will also be tabled on the MPs' desks, namely the Auditor General's Report 2/2025 and the Suhakam Annual Report 2023.
The Dewan Rakyat session for the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to last for 24 days and among the highlights will certainly be the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan on July 31. — BERNAMA
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