Dewan Negara news in brief

KUALA LUMPUR: Following are today’s Dewan Negara news in brief:

It is estimated that 8,300 construction projects are still at the implementation stage this year due to the spread of COVID-19, according to the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) data.

Deputy Works Minister Datuk Eddin Syazlee Shith said in an effort to revive the construction sector, the government through the 2021 Budget has allocated RM90 billion for the maintenance and development of infrastructure and facilities.

“Of that amount, RM25 billion is allocated for projects to be awarded to grade G1 contractors,” he said at a question and answer session.

He was replying to a question from Senator Zaiedi Suhaili on the government’s plan to ensure construction projects will continue as planned and do not affect Bumiputera contractors nationwide.

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The National Centres for Disease Control (CDC) is at the tendering stage and is expected to be completed in two to four years starting from the date of the contractors’ appointment in 2019, said Deputy Health Minister II Datuk Aaron Ago Dagang.

The CDC, which was approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan at a cost of RM500 million would be built on an eight-hectare land in Bandar Enstek, Negeri Sembilan.

“With the establishment of the CDC, the country’s capability and preparedness in the aspects of disease prevention and control and threats to public health including investigation and identification of potential agents of bioterrorism will be strengthened,” he said.

He said this in reply to a question from Senator Donald Peter Mojuntin who wanted to know whether the government would establish the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, just like in the United States to focus on the prevention and control of infectious diseases in the country.

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The National Immunisation Plan on the COVID-19 vaccine which contains the government’s detailed strategy in providing vaccination against the pandemic will be finalised soon, said Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Ahmad Amzad Hashim.

He said the plan was formulated to ensure that the government will be able to stop the spread of the virus as well as ensure the safety and well-being of the people.

Ahmad Amzad said the government had signed agreements with COVAX, Pfizer as well as Astra Zeneca and would finalise three more agreements with Sinovac, Cansino and Gamaleya involving a total cost of RM2.05 billion.

“The cost is lower than the budget allocated for purchasing the vaccine,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2021 in the Dewan Negara today.

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More than 100 companies comprising manufacturers, food producers, supermarkets and hotels that participated in the FoodBank programme have contributed aid in the form of basic necessities and food supply to be distributed to the needy.

“The programme managed to save 2,301 tonnes of surplus food which has been distributed to about 622,000 households,” said Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Deputy Minister Datuk Rosol Wahid when winding up the debated on the Supply Bill 2021.

He said in an effort to further improve the programme, the ministry had purchased two units of retort machines which are expected to be received in the first quarter of next year and gazetted the Food Donors Protection Act 2020 last March.

-- BERNAMA

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The Plantation Industries and Commodities Ministry (KPPK) will conduct a study on the restructuring of taxes imposed on the palm oil industry next year, said its Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Wee Jeck Seng.

He said the study was aimed at reevaluating the overall impact of the taxes imposed by the federal government, state governments and local authorities on the cost of palm oil production.

“The findings of this study will be used to restructure taxes imposed on the palm oil industry to ensure it remains competitive,” he said when winding up the debate on the Supply Bill 2021 in the Dewan Negara today.

-- BERNAMA