KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Rakyat session n Monday (Aug 18) will see focus on issues such as pork smuggling, the status of the Pan Borneo Highway (LPB) construction, and the resignations of doctors and nurses in public healthcare facilities.
According to the Order Paper on Parliament’s official website, Sim Tze Tzin (PH-Bayan Baru), during the oral question and answer session, will ask the Agriculture and Food Security Minister on the enforcement actions by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (Maqis) against pork smuggling, which poses a threat with the spread of Streptococcus suis and African Swine Fever.
Sim will also seek clarification on the number of arrests made for pork smuggling activities throughout this year.
During the same session, Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN-Kuala Nerus) will ask the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister to explain the status of feasibility studies related to rare earth element (REE) mining activities in Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK) and the timeline for the completion of the study.
Datuk Matbali Musah (GRS-Sipitang) will question the Works Minister about the current status and detailed timeline for each phase of the Pan Borneo Highway construction, specifically for WP01 (Sindumin-Melalia) and WP02 (Melalia-Beaufort) sections.
Meanwhile, Wong Shu Qi (PH-Kluang) will ask the Health Minister to provide detailed information on the number of doctors and nurses who have resigned, the number of recruits from 2020 to June 30, 2025, and the measures being implemented to address staff shortages in government hospitals.
Following the Q&A session, the Dewan Rakyat will resume with winding-up speeches on the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) by the relevant ministers.
A total of 161 MPs participated in the 13MP debate, which took place over eight days starting Aug 4.
The 13MP, themed “Redesigning Development”, was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on July 31, with an investment allocation of RM611bil for the 2026 to 2030 period.
This Dewan Rakyat session runs for 24 days until Aug 28. – Bernama
