20/07/2025

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday JULY 20, 2025

Parliament to debate 13MP, key reforms this meeting

Late sittings expected during

Dewan Rakyat debate SUNGAI PETANI: The upcoming Dewan Rakyat session is expected to stretch into the night as the tabling and debate of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) takes centre stage. Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said his office had received a wide range of motions from MPs, signalling a packed and intense session. Johari added that the sitting is likely to continue into the night, with proceedings starting daily at 10am and potentially running until 10pm or 11pm to accommodate the tight schedule. He also said the tabling of the 13MP is especially significant as Malaysia holds the Asean chairmanship this year. – Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The tabling of the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will be the main focus of the Second Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament, which will be held from tomorrow until Aug 28. Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the tabling of 13MP by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to take place in the second week of the Dewan Rakyat meeting on July 31. The 13MP, which sets the direction for the country’s development from 2026 to 2030, is the first by the Madani government under Anwar’s administration as the 10th prime minister of Malaysia. He 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

Parliament also continue to be implemented and streamlined, especially in strengthening the role of each special select committee of Parliament. “The participation of the special select committee needs to be expanded because its role is quite significant, with its members comprising government and opposition MPs with experience, qualifications and great influence. “When discussing an issue in the special select committee, we see that it is not in favour of the government or the Opposition, rather the decision made is to represent the people as a whole,” he said. On the positions of Pandan MP Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and Setiawangsa MP Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad in the Dewan Rakyat following their resignations from the Cabinet, Johari said the two leaders would be transferred to the government backbenchers area. He said it is a normal practice for any MP who is no longer a member of the administration or the Cabinet to move his seat to the backbenchers area. stalls, shops and a children’s playground. In addition, the development would also feature a central park and a vertical school. Nga said the project forms part of housing reforms under the 13th Malaysia Plan. He added that the ministry and SkyWorld have agreed on several key features, including a 10-year warranty covering water leakage and piping issues, low maintenance fees set at RM0.18 per sq ft (RM162 per month) for 10 years, with additional charges only for the use of clubhouse facilities on a pay-per-use basis, and a high construction quality benchmark with a Qlassic score of 85%. Each unit will be priced between RM225,000 and RM420,000 with freehold status, and be open to all Malaysians, regardless of state of origin. Nga also expressed confidence that Anwar would become the first Malaysian leader to successfully deliver 500,000 affordable homes under the 12th Malaysia Plan. As of March 31, a total of 492,360 units, or 98.5%, of the target has been achieved. Of this number, 179,769 units have been completed, 235,862 are under construction and 76,729 are in the planning stage.

Development blueprint and institutional bills among major focus until Aug 28

session will last for eight days starting on Aug 4, before the ministers wind up for four days starting on Aug 18. This session is also expected to be held in a more lively atmosphere, with a comprehensive policy debate, given that it is the main meeting before the focus shifts to the tabling of Budget 2026 at the scheduled meeting session in October. Apart from the 13MP presentation, Johari said this session is also expected to see the tabling and debating of several important Bills involving aspects of institutional reform, government governance, public services and issues related to the welfare of the people. In accordance with the Parliamentary Services Act 2025 (PSA), which has been approved by His Majesty the King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim, Johari said efforts and measures to reform Batu Kawan. Rumah Bakat Madani will offer full condominium facilities at affordable prices. Each unit will measure 900 sq ft, comprising three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Residents will have access to a swimming pool, gymnasium, sports courts for badminton and pickleball games, a multipurpose hall, kindergarten, surau , retail

competitiveness 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 MPs to discuss the contents of the plan, while calling on all elected representatives to be professional and use the debate space well. “We want the debate (session) to be more substantive and Members of Parliament should not politicise the situation so much that we drift too far. “MPs need to stay focused on what issues we are discussing and how (they) can help the government by suggesting things that the government may have overlooked. “That is our role,” he told Bernama in an exclusive interview recently. Based on the Dewan Rakyat calendar, the 13MP debate as a historic milestone during the launch ceremony in Penang yesterday, calling it the most ambitious housing project ever undertaken by the government. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was also present at the launch, SkyWorld has been appointed to develop the project, which includes 6,368 units in Seberang Jaya and 31,000 in at

Paris Court to rule on Sulu claim annulment

KUALA LUMPUR: The Paris Court of Appeal has reserved its decision to Dec 9 on Malaysia’s application to annul a US$14.9 billion (RM63 billion) final award in the arbitration case filed by individuals claiming to be heirs of the defunct Sulu Sultanate. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said the court reached the decision following a hearing on July 7, during which arguments were heard on the merits of Malaysia’s bid to annul the award. She said the claimants had attempted to delay the proceedings to respond to the written opinion of the French public prosecutor, but the court rejected the request and proceeded with the hearing. “In this context, Malaysia places its confidence in the Paris Court of Appeal process and decision in bringing a definitive end to the so-called Sulu Claimants’ illegal global enforcement efforts, similar to the positions adopted by the Spanish and Dutch courts.” The government also reiterated the need for greater transparency in third party litigation funding to prevent misuse against sovereign nations. “Malaysia continues to push for a global framework that places transparency at the centre of third-party litigation funding, ensuring the mechanism intended to promote access to justice is not misused as a tool of lawfare against sovereign states. “International arbitration must be protected from attempts to extort sovereign nations under the guise of arbitration claims,” Azalina added. She emphasised that the federal government remains resolute in defending Malaysia’s sovereignty and upholding the integrity of international arbitration. The arbitration case stems from proceedings initiated in Spain by eight Filipino nationals claiming to be heirs of the now-defunct Sulu Sultanate. They sought billions of dollars from Malaysia over historical issues related to Sabah. – Bernama

Malaysia’s biggest affordable housing project launched in Penang

Ű BY QIRANA NABILLA MOHD RASHIDI newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: The government has launched its largest affordable housing initiative to date – the Rumah Bakat Madani project – which will deliver 37,368 residential units across Penang. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming described it

Anwar flanked by SkyWorld Development Group founder and executive chairman Datuk Seri Ng Thien Phing (right) and its CEO Lee Chee Seng, accompanied by Nga and Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow during the ceremony yesterday. – PIC COURTESY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTRY