logo
Spotlight on policies and politics

Spotlight on policies and politics

The Star5 days ago
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

Federal Court sets Oct 29 to hear appeal against Isa Samad's acquittal
Federal Court sets Oct 29 to hear appeal against Isa Samad's acquittal

The Star

timean hour ago

  • The Star

Federal Court sets Oct 29 to hear appeal against Isa Samad's acquittal

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Court has fixed Oct 29 for the hearing of the prosecution's appeal against the Court of Appeal's decision to acquit former Felda chairman Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad. Mohd Isa, 75, was acquitted of all nine corruption charges involving RM3mil in connection with the purchase of Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites in Kuching, Sarawak. Deputy public prosecutor Afzainizam Abdul Aziz said the hearing date was set by deputy registrar Wan Fatimah Zaharah Wan Yussof during an online case management proceeding on Friday (July 25). "All parties are required to file their written submissions two weeks before the appeal hearing,' Afzainizam said when contacted. Meanwhile, Mohd Isa's counsel Siti Sarah Khalil said the court has directed parties to file their submissions on or before Oct 14, with the next case management fixed for Oct 15. The prosecution filed its notice of appeal on March 7, 2024, and petition of appeal on June 26, advancing 24 grounds to support its contention that the Court of Appeal erred in law and fact when it acquitted Mohd Isa of all charges. On March 6, 2024, a three-member Court of Appeal panel comprising Justice Datuk Vazeer Alam Mydin Meera (now a Federal Court judge), Datuk Ahmad Zaidi Ibrahim and Datuk S.M. Komathy Suppiah set aside Mohd Isa's conviction and six-year sentence, as well as the RM15.45mil fine imposed by the High Court on Feb 3, 2021. The former Negeri Sembilan mentri besar was charged in 2018 with nine counts of receiving RM3,090,000 in bribes from Ikhwan Zaidel, a director of Gegasan Abadi Properties Sdn Bhd, through his former special political officer, Muhammad Zahid Md Arip, as an inducement for facilitating Felda Investment Corporation Sdn Bhd's approval to purchase the Merdeka Palace Hotel & Suites for RM160mil. The offences were alleged to have taken place at Level 49, Menara Felda, Platinum Park, No. 11, Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, between July 21, 2014, and Dec 11, 2015. He was charged under Section 16(a)(A) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Act 2009, which provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of not less than five times the value of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, upon conviction. - Bernama

Concerns over appointment of AG: Are they about principles of good governance and independence or politics? — Hafiz Hassan
Concerns over appointment of AG: Are they about principles of good governance and independence or politics? — Hafiz Hassan

Malay Mail

timean hour ago

  • Malay Mail

Concerns over appointment of AG: Are they about principles of good governance and independence or politics? — Hafiz Hassan

JULY 25 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) deputy chairman Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin has raised concerns over the appointment of a serving civil servant as Auditor-General (AG). He makes reference to Articles 7 and 105(4) and (5) of the Federal Constitution. Article 7 is on 'Protection against retrospective criminal laws and repeated trials'. What has this got to do with the appointment of AG? Article 105(4) and (5) read as follows: '(4) Parliament shall by law provide for the remuneration of the Auditor General, and the remuneration so provided shall be charged on the Consolidated Fund.' '(5) The remuneration and other terms of office (including pension rights) of the Auditor General shall not be altered to his disadvantage after his appointment.' The above are said to imply that the AG must not be a serving member of the civil service, stressing the importance of independence in the role. While Hamzah (pic) may have conceded that the appointment of the AG 'may not be illegal', Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan did question the legitimacy of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi's appointment as AG and whether it complied with the Federal Constitution. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa It is curious that Hamzah makes no reference refer to Article 105(1) which states as follows: 'There shall be an Auditor General, who shall be appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the Prime Minister and after consultation with the Conference of Rulers.' The Opposition Leader does not also refer to Article 139(1), which reads as follows: '(1) There shall be a Public Services Commission, whose jurisdiction shall, subject to Article 144, extend to all persons who are members of the services mentioned in paragraphs © and (f) of Clause (1) of Article 132, other than the Auditor General, to members of the public services of the State of Malacca and the State of Penang, and, to the extent provided by Clause (2), to members of the public service of any other State.' (Emphasis added) While Hamzah may have conceded that the appointment of the AG 'may not be illegal', Kota Bharu MP Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan did question the legitimacy of Datuk Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi's appointment as AG and whether it complied with the Federal Constitution. Takiyuddin is not just a lawmaker but a lawyer by profession. He should know that there is a legal presumption called presumption of legality which is an established common law rule. It is the very general presumption that people have acted lawfully unless and until the contrary is proved. The presumption is the basis of the requirement that someone who alleges wrongdoing on the part of another must establish the truth of his allegation, according to the relevant standard of proof and in a court of competent jurisdiction. The presumption is said to be strong as the party who alleges having an onerous burden to overcome the presumption with compelling prima facie evidence of grounds to challenge the legality or lawfulness of an act. (See the Federal Court decision in Sundra Rajoo a/l Nadarajah v Menteri Luar Negeri, Malaysia & Ors [2021] 5 MLJ 209) Let's raise this question about the opposition raising questions over the appointment of Wan Suraya as AG: are they principles of good governance and independence or politics? **This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.

MADANI legal reforms advance with key bills and motions passed
MADANI legal reforms advance with key bills and motions passed

The Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Sun

MADANI legal reforms advance with key bills and motions passed

KUALA LUMPUR: The Madani government's legal and institutional reforms gained traction as five bills and two key motions were approved in the first week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting. Key changes include amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 and new penalties for minor littering offences. The Whistleblower Protection (Amendment) Bill 2025, designed to enhance safeguards for whistleblowers and improve misconduct reporting mechanisms, was passed via majority voice vote after debate by 24 MPs. Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform), emphasised the government's dedication to strengthening anti-corruption measures and integrity in both public and private sectors. She acknowledged that while Act 711 has been in place for over a decade, gaps remain that require attention. Three additional bills—Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025, Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2025, and Streets, Drainage and Building (Amendment) Bill 2025—aim to improve public cleanliness. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming highlighted that community service orders will now supplement fines for littering offences, targeting items like cigarette butts, plastic waste, and food wrappers. Nga stressed the importance of fostering civic responsibility and environmental awareness to build a cleaner, more sustainable Malaysia. The Consumer Credit (Finance) Bill 2025 also passed, addressing regulatory gaps in the credit sector, particularly for vulnerable borrowers at risk of exploitation. Four other bills were tabled for first reading, including amendments to the Poisons Act and Fisheries Act. Two significant motions were approved: the Auditor-General's Report (LKAN) 2/2025 and SUHAKAM's 2023 Annual Report. These approvals underscore the government's commitment to transparency and human rights, reinforcing public trust through rigorous auditing and accountability. MPs praised the government's openness in presenting the LKAN report, calling it a progressive move enabling legislative scrutiny and policy improvements. Azalina noted that debating SUHAKAM's report strengthens democratic traditions by allowing MPs to assess human rights conditions and propose reforms. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim reiterated Malaysia's unwavering stance on Gaza and Middle East issues, including Iran, despite potential pressure from the US amid ongoing tariff negotiations. The parliamentary session will continue until Aug 28. - Bernama

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