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KUALA LUMPUR: The fourth week of Dewan Rakyat’s session ended with the approval of the Budget 2021 at the policy stage after a two-week debate, followed by four days of the liquidation session by the relevant ministries.
The closing session on the budget debate began on November 23 and involved 27 ministries, the last being the Ministry of Finance as the ministry responsible for presenting the Supply Bill 2021.
The bill, introduced by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz on November 6, was approved by a majority vote.
Efforts by members of the Opposition and Independents to call for a block vote failed, after they did not reach the minimum number of members of Parliament required for a vote. Only 13 of the MPs got up, while they need a total of 15 people to get up to allow the process to take place.
Throughout the debate on the bill, the issues raised by parliamentarians, both from the government and from opposition blocs, revolved around aid that could increase people’s cash flow and business, as well as direct financial assistance to help those affected by Covid-19. pandemic.
Several issues raised by parliamentarians, including the loan moratorium and withdrawal from Account 1 of the Employee Provident Fund (EPF), were answered this week with the announcement of “much good news” for the people of Tengku Zafrul.
“We may not be perfect but we are listening … and over the next few months, we will continue to listen, we will continue to fine-tune government assistance according to Covid-19 and the economic situation, InsyaAllah,” said Tengku Zafrul while wrapping up the debate on budget 2021.
On the subject of the moratorium, Dewan Rakyat was informed that it will still be implemented for the target group, with the request simplified, while for EPF withdrawals, the i-Sinar program is now open to the eight million contributors with the maximum withdrawal amount increased to RM10,000.
The reality is that the 2021 Budget is designed to ensure people’s well-being, business continuity, and economic resilience.
Apart from that, the question about the reestablishment of the Department of Special Affairs (Jasa) that was proposed in the 2021 Budget was also raised this week with the Minister of Communications and Multimedia Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah explaining that the name will be changed to the Department. of Community Communications (J-KOM) with different roles and functions.
According to Saifuddin, the 85.5 million ringgit allocated for Jasa will also be reduced.
Other issues raised included the Covid-19 vaccine, where Dewan Rakyat was informed that the government is targeting 70 percent of people to receive the vaccine in the first quarter of next year.
The Dewan Rakyat was also informed about cases of corruption and abuse of power involving public officials with a total of 2287 investigative documents opened from 2016 to last September, and also about amendments to the Syariah Law on Courts ( Criminal Jurisdiction) of 1965, where the proposed amendments will be presented. to the states early next year.Called
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