MPs to have hands full this week
Monday, 15 Oct 2018
Reports by MARTIN CARVALHO , ZAKIAH KOYA , FATIMAH ZAINAL AND ROYCE TAN
KUALA LUMPUR: While Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is sure to steal some of the limelight with his quick return to the Dewan Rakyat, there is no prize for guessing what the main focus will be – Budget 2019.
It will be Pakatan Harapan’s first budget since the general election, and it will be a perfect opportunity for the new government to “walk the talk”.
Lawmakers will have their hands full during the 30-day sitting which will stretch till Nov 29.
This will be followed by the debate on Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s much-publicised speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month.
Also on the agenda is the mid-term review of the 11th Malaysia Plan or 11MP (2016-2020) on Thursday.
Other highlights will include the likely repeal of certain Acts, abolishing the death penalty and a motion for MPs to declare their assets.
Budget 2019 will be unveiled by Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on Nov 2 and this will be followed by the debates.
Ayer Hitam MP Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong said Budget 2019 would be especially crucial to the people and country.
“There has been a lot of talk about the coming Budget in recent weeks, and many are concerned.
“This is because of the recent statement by the Prime Minister calling for Malaysians to brace for new taxes and make sacrifices,” he said.
Dr Wee, who is in charge of the Transport portfolio in the Shadow Cabinet, will propose a motion urging the government not to impose taxes which would burden the people and affect investor confidence.
Veteran lawmaker Tan Sri Annuar Musa said while Budget 2019 would be hotly debated, the opposition would not resort to “government bashing” for the sake of criticising.
“If there are proposals that are good for the nation, then the opposition must be prepared to accept them,” he said.
He noted that the Shadow Cabinet was also expected to propose its alternative budget.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said as this was the first Pakatan budget, the government must show prudent management.
“But I hope the budget allocation would further strengthen the education sector,” he added.
The last two days will be reserved for Bills and other governmental affairs.
Foreign Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah said the Prime Minister’s UN speech would be debated as it would form the nucleus of a Foreign Policy Framework.
He said Dr Mahathir had focused on an adherence to neutrality and non-alignment, as well as a “prosper thy neighbour” policy.
Saifuddin also explained that the Prime Minister emphasised the need for good relationships with major powers while making a stand on contentious issues involving Palestine, the Rohingya and trade war between global powers.
“Wisma Putra will use input from the parliament session to form the framework,” the minister said.
MPs with ministerial portfolios will also be gunning for allocations for their respective ministries.
International Trade and Industry Minister Darrell Leiking said he was hoping for more investments and refined policies to ensure Malaysia prospered economically.
“We hope for more exports and for an improved allocation to ensure more trade for the country,” he said.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2018/10/15/mps-to-have-hands-full-this-week-budget-2019-to-keep-lawmakers-busy/#szoZRiYgXGteBb9e.99
