logo
Spotlight on policies and politics

Spotlight on policies and politics

The Star20-07-2025
PETALING JAYA: Along with the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) which would set the tone for the country's development over the next five years, new dynamics on the government bench, tariffs and Bills are set to grab the limelight in the upcoming Dewan Rakyat meeting which begins tomorrow.
The 13MP, which is the first full-fledged development blueprint under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's government, is scheduled to be tabled on July 31. This will be followed up with lawmakers' debates and ministerial responses.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul recently said that the House will allocate adequate time for MPs to debate the plan, not ruling out the possibility of extending the clock to 10pm-11pm if there is a need.
'We want the debate (session) to be more substantive and MPs should not overpoliticise the situation.
'MPs need to stay focused on what issues we are discussing ... how (they) can help the government by suggesting things the government may have overlooked, that is our role,' he was quoted as saying recently.
It is worth noting that former Economy minister Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, who played a key role in the formulation of the 13MP, will return to the House as a backbencher following his resignation on May 28.
Rafizi had also questioned the government's 'hasty' decision to 'restructure and reshape' the 13MP before the deadline.
'Why is the issue of 'restructuring the 13MP draft' arising at the last minute when there were no such concerns raised throughout the time I and the Economy Ministry presented the contents of the 13MP before this?' he asked in a statement on June 27.
Rafizi said the statement 'to restructure and reshape' the 13MP has triggered concern among civil servants, market analysts and the public at large.
He noted that the 13MP, which outlines Malaysia's development agenda for the next five years, had been prepared entirely by civil servants in record time – under one year – without engaging external consultants.
This came after Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar announced that Finance Minister II Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan had been tasked with reviewing and revamping the core framework of the 13MP.
In the updated seating position in the Dewan Rakyat, the Pandan MP along with his party colleague and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, who also resigned as Natural Resources and Environ­mental Sustainability minister, have been moved to the backbenchers seats in Bloc D from their previous seats as part of the executive arm in the government bench.
Observers believe the duo would also be the check and balance, and emerge as a voice of reason from within the government bloc.
Universiti Malaya socio-political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said the duo's absence from the Cabinet would raise questions on the strength of the party's progressive voice within the government.
'This opens up a new space for progressive leaders like Rafizi and Nik Nazmi, who can now play a freer, more outspoken role outside the executive.
'Unbound by the constraints of Cabinet collective responsibility, they are now in the position to ask sharper questions, raise pressing public issues and advocate for grounded, realistic policies, which is different from the populist and emotionally driven rhetoric often employed by the Opposition,' he added.
He said the dynamics now will not only be that of the government versus the Opposition but would hinge on the voices of these two MPs as backbenchers.
He said if the two are very critical, it would signal cracks in the government.
However, if done right, he said this could increase the government's credibility as it would be seen as an administration that is open to criticisms.
'This has the potential to increase the people's trust,' he said.
'The people are evaluating how serious this government truly is in bringing about change. If voices like Rafizi and Nik Nazmi present thoughtful and non-emotional arguments, it will boost confidence in the unity government.
'Therefore, this parliamentary session is not just about policy or the Opposition versus the government. It will become a platform to reposition these two reformist figures, who may prove more effective outside the Cabinet, criticising policy weaknesses, offering fresh ideas and shaping a new, more mature political culture.'
As for the House's order of business, the second readings of Bills such as the Consumer Credit Bill 2025 and several Bills under the Housing and Local Government, which were tabled in the last meeting, will continue.
The Auditor-General's report will also be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow.
As for important Bills that will be tabled for the first reading, a government source said the Bills that was previously scheduled for tabling has been 'retracted for further refining'.
When contacted, Deputy Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Aiman Athirah Sabu said the tabling of the Urban Renewal Bill (URA) is on track.
'The URA will be tabled in this meeting. It is on schedule for August,' she said.
Aiman also said her ministry will table other Bills as well.
The 25% tariff imposed on Malaysia by the US government too is expected to dominate the polemic in the House as it comes into effect on Aug 1.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

No more dropping out: Govt tables Bill to make secondary school compulsory
No more dropping out: Govt tables Bill to make secondary school compulsory

Malay Mail

time13 minutes ago

  • Malay Mail

No more dropping out: Govt tables Bill to make secondary school compulsory

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The Education (Amendment) Bill 2025, which seeks to make secondary education compulsory, was tabled for first reading in the Dewan Rakyat today. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh, when tabling the Bill, said the second reading is expected to take place during the current parliamentary sitting. The Bill seeks to amend Section 2 of the Education Act 1996 (Act 550) to substitute the definition of 'compulsory education' to include secondary education. It also proposes a new Section 32A, which provides that every parent whose child is a Malaysian citizen and resides in Malaysia must ensure the child is enrolled in a secondary education institution and remains in school throughout the secondary education period. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in a fine of up to RM5,000 or imprisonment for up to six months, or both, upon conviction. The Bill also states that the proposed amendments will involve additional government expenditure, the amount of which has yet to be determined. — Bernama

Thailand-Cambodia Peace Talks Begin In Putrajaya Amid Rising Border Tensions
Thailand-Cambodia Peace Talks Begin In Putrajaya Amid Rising Border Tensions

Barnama

time29 minutes ago

  • Barnama

Thailand-Cambodia Peace Talks Begin In Putrajaya Amid Rising Border Tensions

WORLD PUTRAJAYA, July 28 (Bernama) -- The special meeting between Thailand and Cambodia, aimed at securing an immediate ceasefire and halting hostilities along the disputed border, began in Putrajaya on Monday. The special meeting, brokered by Malaysia and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in his capacity as the current ASEAN Chair, is being held to de-escalate rising tensions and restore stability along the conflict-hit border areas. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai arrived at Seri Perdana, the venue of the meeting, which is the official residence of the Malaysian prime minister, at about 2.51 pm followed shortly after by Cambodian leader Hun Manet. They were welcomed by Anwar. Also attending the meeting were US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard Kagan and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, who are participating as co-facilitators. Last Friday, Anwar had called Phumtham and Manet separately, appealing for both leaders to seek an immediate ceasefire and return to dialogue to resolve their dispute. Anwar had said that Malaysia stands ready to assist and facilitate the process in the spirit of ASEAN unity and shared responsibility. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long history of diplomatic rows over an 817-kilometre undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been simmering since May 28 following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear border area, which claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier.

Perak FMM Calls For More Engagement Sessions To Clarify SST Expansion
Perak FMM Calls For More Engagement Sessions To Clarify SST Expansion

Barnama

time31 minutes ago

  • Barnama

Perak FMM Calls For More Engagement Sessions To Clarify SST Expansion

IPOH, July 28 (Bernama) -- The Perak Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM) is calling for more engagement sessions to be held to provide clarification to industry players regarding the expansion of the Sales and Services Tax (SST) scope, which came into effect on July 1. Its deputy chairman Mark Chan Chow Loong said this was important given that the expansion involves more than 3,000 additional items, raising many technical questions among manufacturers. 'As we know, the SST expansion was only recently announced, so many companies and manufacturers still require further clarification on how it is implemented and its impact on production costs. 'Therefore, these sessions are very beneficial as they provide a clearer understanding to manufacturers, especially regarding the list of products involved, exemption applications, and implications on production costs,' he said at the Special Coffee Series: SST Expansion briefing here today. Also present was Perak State Development Corporation (PKNPk) chief executive officer Datuk Redza Rafiq Abdul Razak. A total of 450 industry players and manufacturers from various sectors across Perak attended the session. Chan explained that while the SST expansion has implications on the cost of raw materials, the impact varies depending on the type of product and the composition of raw materials used. 'For instance, in the plastics industry, raw materials contribute between 60 to 80 per cent of the cost of finished products. So any additional tax imposed will have a direct impact on prices,' he said. Meanwhile, Redza Rafiq said the engagement session was not just a typical briefing, but rather a strategic and inclusive platform that brought together policymakers, implementing agencies, and the business community.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store