Day: November 18, 2021

The Dewan Rakyat today approved the 2022 Budget at the policy stage.

The budget, the first tabled by the government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, was passed with a majority voice vote.

Attempts by several MPs to initiate bloc voting failed when those who stood up were less than the required 15.

The 2022 Budget was tabled by Finance Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz on Oct 29 with the highest allocation ever of RM332.1 billion to implement various strategies and initiatives to prosper the people and stimulate a progressive and sustainable economy.

A total of 131 MPs spoke during the debate from Nov 1 for seven days and 31 ministries began their wind-up of the debate on Monday before Tengku Zafrul wound up for the Ministry of Finance today.

According to the Dewan Rakyat calendar, the budget will be debated at the committee stage for 13 days starting Monday (Nov 22).

The Dewan Rakyat sitting continues Monday.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

There are many next of kin of individuals, who succumbed to the COVID-19 infection, who have yet to apply for the COVID-19 Death Management Special Assistance (BKPC), said National Disaster Management Agency (NADMA) director-general Datuk Dr Aminuddin Hassim.

So far, he said, only 6,000 applications have been received, although the figure is way below the recorded deaths of close to 30,000 victims.

“There are several factors for this, and one of them is that the next of kin need to produce several types of documentation from the Health Ministry (MOH),” he told a press conference after attending a briefing on the northeast monsoon preparations at Kompleks Kota Darulnaim here, today.

“Besides that, there are next of kin who have not applied (for the assistance) as they believe they do not have to bear hospitalisation costs or funeral expenses.

“Due to this, we have improved the application process which now requires only MOH documents be it letter from the hospital or death certificates.”

Aminuddin said the MOH will vet applications submitted by the victim’s next of kin to determine if they are eligible. Until now, only about seven per cent of the applications have not been approved due to technical reasons.

“The victim’s next of kin may need to be patient if the application takes a long time because it needs to go through certain processes before the assistance is given.

“Applications for death assistance will be closed once the country enters the COVID-19 endemic phase. After entering this phase, the Cabinet will then decide if assistance should be continued or otherwise,” he said.

Aminuddin also said that apart from death assistance worth RM5,000, NADMA also provided daily assistance of RM100 to COVID-19 positive patients whose incomes had been affected.

“For example, a trader who is confirmed positive and unable to work for seven days due to the quarantine process, will be given assistance of RM100 a day for a maximum period of up to 14 days,” he added.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

The Ministry of Federal Territories’ decision to ban the sale of alcohol in convenience stores and grocery shops around the city is aimed at controlling irresponsible parties who take the opportunity to sell illegal samsu (cheap alcohol), said its minister Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.

He said the ban would also reduce accessibility to the issuance of licences to sell the alcoholic product as well as reduce social problems.

“We need to control the issuance of these licences, give (sales licences) for special places only,” he said when winding up debate on the Supply Bill 2022 at the policy level in the Dewan Rakyat today.

He raised the matter after several MPs from the opposition bloc including Teresa Kok (PH-Seputeh), Fong Kui Lun (PH-Bukit Bintang), Tan Kok Wai (PH-Cheras) and Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) questioned the decision of the ministry on the issue of liquor sales.

Commenting further, Shahidan said the drinks were still available at permitted premises such as hypermarkets, commercial complexes and shopping malls.

“We also allow the sale of liquor at specialised premises selling licensed liquor operating in Kuala Lumpur such as pubs, bars and restaurants on a ‘dine-in’ basis.

“Operators or owners of these premises can still obtain a Liquor Licence (LMK) from Kuala Lumpur City Hall according to the conditions set,” he said.

He said for traditional medicine shops such as Chinese medicine shops, the sale of ‘mixed liquor’ and ‘pure liquor’ approved by the Ministry of Health (MOH) for traditional medicinal purposes could still be sold.

He said several non-governmental organisations had also issued statements supporting DBKL’s action in regulating the sale of liquor.

“I have also held engagement sessions on this matter with manufacturers, bottlers, distributors, wholesalers and retailers, including convenience store owners. They understand the intentions imposed by the Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory Excise Licensing Board,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

– Sarawak today recorded 311 new COVID-19 cases with 10 of them suffering from lung infection and needing respiratory assistance, according to the State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC).

SDMC in a statement said that only the Kuching district recorded three digits new cases at 112, while the Miri district had 39, Serian (19), Sibu and Bintulu (18 each), Lawas (14) and Betong and Limbang 13 cases each.

Nine COVID-19 deaths were recorded today, with three of them reported between Nov 12 and 15, while three fatalities each on Nov 16 and 17 respectively.

The deaths involved those aged between 41 and 77 who had a background of diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and chronic kidney disease.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency

Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim has proposed that a digital Parliament library be established to empower the legislative field in the national language.

He said funds should be raised next year to create an authoritative, easily accessible and highly prioritised digital library making it the best legislative library in Asia.

Admitting that it would not be easy, he said, however, with clear visions, it could be realised to equip the country with legislative knowledge.

“This digital library will also be consulted by researchers or scholars to obtain debates, data, information and the country’s legislative history,” he said.

He said this in his speech when launching the Rare and Manuscript Collections Exhibition and Parliament level National Language Month celebration at the Parliament Building here today.

The Parliament Library currently has 43,114 collections of original documents such as the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States Legislations, Hansard, bills, acts and statute papers.

Meanwhile, the Rare and Manuscript Collections Exhibition features more than 50 selected Parliament manuscript collections covering main categories involving proceedings, national development and Parliamentary diplomacy beginning this month until January next year.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency