logo
Dewan Rakyat debates foreign policy post-ASEAN 2025 and hajj costs

Dewan Rakyat debates foreign policy post-ASEAN 2025 and hajj costs

The Sun21-07-2025
KUALA LUMPUR: The Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament commenced today with key discussions on Malaysia's foreign policy direction following its ASEAN 2025 Chairmanship, digital transformation, and the rising cost of hajj.
According to the Parliament portal's Order Paper, Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) raised a question to the Foreign Minister regarding Malaysia's foreign policy strategy in navigating the evolving Indo-Pacific geopolitical landscape.
Digitalisation also took centre stage, with Datuk Seri Dr Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) seeking updates on the MYDigital initiative, including MyDigital ID registration and government system integration. V. Sivakumar (PH-Batu Gajah) further pressed the Digital Minister on Malaysia's readiness for AI adoption, covering technology transfer and talent development.
Hajj costs were another focal point, as Datuk Dr Ahmad Marzuk Shaary (PN-Pengkalan Chepa) questioned the Prime Minister on the justification for the 2025 fee hike, Tabung Haji's investment status, and unused hajj quotas from 2020 to 2025.
Following the Q&A session, Parliament moved to the second reading of key bills, including the Consumer Credit Act 2025 and the Solid Waste Management and Public Cleansing (Amendment) Bill 2025. Lawmakers will also debate Suhakam's 2023 Annual Report and Financial Statements.
The session, set to run for 24 days, will culminate in the tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan on July 31. - Bernama
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

PM Anwar to table 13th Malaysia Plan in Parliament tomorrow
PM Anwar to table 13th Malaysia Plan in Parliament tomorrow

The Star

time4 minutes ago

  • The Star

PM Anwar to table 13th Malaysia Plan in Parliament tomorrow

PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be tabling the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) in the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (July 31). According to a media invite from the Economy Ministry, Anwar will be tabling the 13MP at 11.30am until 2.30pm. Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said on July 19, the tabling of the 13MP will be the main focus of the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament. The 13MP, which sets the direction for the country's development for 2026 to 2030, is the first by the Madani Government under Anwar's administration as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia. Anwar previously said the 13MP was formulated with a focus on the economic empowerment of the people through increased income, inclusive and sustainable economic structural reforms, as well as strengthening governance and efficiency in public service delivery. Apart from that, it also emphasises regional justice, human capital development, and policy reforms to strengthen Malaysia's competitiveness at the global level in line with the principles of Madani Malaysia. In this regard, Johari said this Dewan Rakyat session would provide adequate debate time for Members of Parliament to discuss the contents of the 13th Malaysia Plan while calling on all elected representatives to be professional and use the debate space well. The Star in its front page in July 25 highlighted that the (13MP) is expected to enhance Malaysia's competitiveness by promoting high-value manufacturing through business and investor-friendly policies, according to experts and economists. The Prime Minister had previously said the 13MP was being formulated with a focus on the economic empowerment of the people through increased income, inclusive and sustainable economic structural reforms, as well as strengthening governance and efficiency in the delivery of public services.

Saifuddin: Entry permits for foreign spouses evaluated fairly
Saifuddin: Entry permits for foreign spouses evaluated fairly

New Straits Times

time4 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

Saifuddin: Entry permits for foreign spouses evaluated fairly

KUALA LUMPUR: Entry permit approvals for foreign spouses of Malaysians are based on fair and balanced considerations, regardless of gender, said Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. "Among the prerequisites for the MyPR application is that the applicant must first obtain an entry permit issued by the Malaysian Immigration Department," he said in a written parliamentary reply last night. He was responding to Syerleena Abdul Rashid (PH–Bukit Bendera), who questioned the government's processes for Permanent Resident (MyPR) applications, which she said placed an unfair burden on Malaysian women with foreign spouses. Saifuddin also said the issuance of entry permits to foreigners is in accordance with the provisions under Section 10(1) and (2) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, which grants the Director-General of Immigration the authority to issue entry permits based on the conditions and procedures set. Between 2013 to 2023, the approval rates for the wives of citizens stood at 22.3 per cent and the approval rates for husbands stood at 22.7 per cent. "Based on the percentage of approved entry permits, there is no significant difference between applications made by husbands and wives within the citizen category. "Therefore, each entry permit application in the husband and wife to citizen category is assessed fairly and equitably," he said. He added that several factors are taken into consideration when granting approvals. "For example, in the case of citizens' wives, issues related to welfare and neglect are considered," he said.

Education Ministry to present vertical school guidelines to Cabinet soon
Education Ministry to present vertical school guidelines to Cabinet soon

New Straits Times

time4 minutes ago

  • New Straits Times

Education Ministry to present vertical school guidelines to Cabinet soon

KUALA LUMPUR: The Education Ministry has finalised the Vertical School Development Planning Guidelines and will soon present them to the cabinet through a ministerial note. Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said the guidelines outline key design principles for schools, including naturalness, individualism, appeal, and accessibility. They also cover elements such as safety and organisation, student monitoring and security, acoustic control, and the provision of sports facilities, among others. "The guidelines have been approved at the ministry level and will soon be presented to the cabinet through a ministerial note," he told the Dewan Rakyat. He was responding to a supplementary question from Roslan Hashim (PN–Kulim Bandar Baharu), who asked whether there would be standard operating procedures (SOPs) for vertical schools not just for safety, but also for comfort, threat prevention, and overall operational security. Wong said three main aspects must be considered in any proposed vertical school development. "First, student-related considerations, including vertical movement safety, accessibility for students with special needs, emotional and social well-being, and access to recreational spaces. "Second, technical aspects such as acoustics, soundproofing, natural lighting and ventilation, emergency exits, structural safety, and building maintenance. "Third, strata management considerations, which involve issues related to strata titles. These will be managed on a case-by-case basis," he said. Wong added that the ministry welcomes Kuala Lumpur City Hall's (DBKL) proposal to construct vertical schools as a proactive response to land constraints in urban areas, particularly in the capital, where demand for access to education is high. He said the ministry has conducted engagement sessions involving the Local Government and Housing Ministry, the Department of Town and Country Planning (PlanMalaysia), the Public Works Department, the Fire and Rescue Department, as well as parents and teachers, to fine-tune the design requirements for vertical schools. "This approach aims to ensure critical factors are taken into account, including safety, student capacity, accessibility, and environmental sustainability. "The Education Ministry remains committed to being proactive and open in addressing the challenges of urban education development, guided by collaboration with local authorities and relevant government agencies. "This is to ensure that access to quality education is not compromised despite limited physical space," he said. In February, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said high-rise schools may be developed in the city to optimise land use in the capital.

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