KUALA LUMPUR:The third meeting of the third session of the 14th Parliament which is scheduled to begin on Monday and will have Budget 2021 tabled on Nov 6 is expected to see heated debate in the wake of the political developments in the country.
It will be the first national budget prepared by the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition government led by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin after being in power for six months.
Also before Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun are several motions of no-confidence against the prime minister initiated by some opposition MPs as well as motions from back-benchers expressing full confidence and pledging allegiance to Muhyiddin as the prime minister.
According to the Dewan Rakyat calendar, the Supply Bill 2021 or Budget 2021 is scheduled to be tabled by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. It will be debated by MPs at the policy and committee levels for five weeks before it is put to a vote.
Budget 2021 is not only much awaited by a majority of the people as well as industries deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic but is also seen as a platform to gauge the majority support of the prime minister among the 222 MPs.
The question of support came to the fore after Opposition Leader and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim claimed on Sept 23 that he had strong and convincing support from MPs to form a new federal government.
The tussle for power among politicians ahead of the Dewan Rakyat budget meeting prompted Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah to issue a decree calling for a stop to all political disputes and pledge their undivided support for Budget 2021 to ensure the people’s well-being and enable the country’s economic revival after being hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The King issued the decree after a meeting of the Malay Rulers which scrutinised and declined a request by Muhyiddin for the declaration of an emergency for the government to address the COVID-19 pandemic.
The upcoming budget meeting, which will take place over 27 days up to Dec 15, is also expected to see the second reading of the Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) Bill 2020.
The bill seeks to provide for the establishment of an independent commission and enhance the integrity of the police force, reduce misconduct among police personnel and promote public confidence in the police force.
Two other bills are also scheduled for second reading, namely the Poisons (Amendment) Bill 2019 which, among others, will introduce a new provision requiring registered medical practitioners to issue prescriptions if requested by their patients; and the Cooperatives (Amendment) Bill 2020.
As was the case at the previous Dewan Rakyat meeting, this third meeting of the third session of the 14th Parliament will also apply the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) set by the National Security Council and the Ministry of Health to check the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.
All MPs and staff are required to undergo COVID-19 screening ahead of the meeting.
MPs from Sabah, which saw a recent drastic rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, were instructed to be in the federal capital 14 days prior to the meeting to undergo the mandatory quarantine.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Sat Oct 31 2020
The 14th Parliament which is scheduled to begin on Monday will have Budget 2021 tabled on Nov 6 2020. BERNAMA file pic
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.