In case you missed the Dewan Rakyat proceedings today, here's five things you need to know
Astro Awani
November 12, 2020 20:35 MYT
November 12, 2020 20:35 MYT
Among the highlight during the Dewan Rakyat proceedings today is Tun M's proposal for a pay cut for lawmakers. BERNAMApic
Here are the highlights of today's Dewan Rakyat sitting
PROPOSED PAY CUT FOR LAWMAKERS
- Former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government should consider shaving the salaries of its ministers by 30 per cent to reduce unnecessary expenses on Budget 2021
- “In the era of COVID-19, I do not think the ministers will starve because of a 30 per cent salary reduction. On the other hand, there are many who have no income at all because they are not working or doing business anymore,” he said
- He described the RM322.5 billion 2021 Budget as unrealistic as it would not help fight the COVID-19 pandemic
- He also questioned the huge allocation for the 2021 Budget with no specification of the source of income to achieve that amount.
TO SUPPORT OR REJECT BUDGET 2021?
- Tun Dr Mahathir and three Independent MPs representing the yet-to-be-registered Parti Pejuang Tanah Air (Pejuang), have decided to reserve their support for the 2021 Budget.
- The Langkawi MP also expressed hope that suggestions raised during the debate on the Supply Bill 2021 were considered in the budget.
- In another matter, the founder of Pejuang said to date, he has not received approval for the party's registration from the Registrar of Societies (RoS) although all requirements have been met.
RM100 BILLION INCOME LOSS
- The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture said the country suffered a loss of approximately RM100 billion following the cancellation of the Visit Malaysia 2020 Year Campaign
- The loss is due to the drop in tourist expenses, especially those related to accommodation, transportation, shopping, food and beverages.
- "As expected, the spread of the COVID-19 epidemic has affected the number of foreign tourists to Malaysia, with the presence of Chinese tourists for the first half of this year declining by about 74% compared to the same period in 2019," MOTAC said.
- Based on 2019 international tourism data, tourists spending from China was the second highest with a contribution of 17.8%.
SABAH, SARAWAK DEVELOPMENT IN FOCUS
- Rural Development Minister Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad said a total of 101 Rural Road projects in Sabah have been approved under the 11th Malaysia Plan involving a total cost of RM6.05 billion
- Meanwhile, at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly sitting, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Ports Development, Datuk Julaihi Narawi said the cost to build one kilometre of tarred road in Sarawak can reach up to RM12.5 million.
MORE COMMOTION IN THE DEWAN RAKYAT
- Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng was ejected from the Dewan today for interrupting Speaker Datuk Azhar Azizan Harun while the latter was explaining a ruling.
- This was after Lim described Deputy Speaker Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s ruling on Bintulu MP Datuk Tiong King Sing on Thursday as “stupid”
- Azhar explained that he did not have the power to review Azalina’s ruling as it was final. Despite repeated warnings, Lim continued speaking. He was ordered to sit down but he refused.
- He even accused Azhar of conspiring with Tiong to insult the Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah. Lim received a five-day suspension from Parliament sitting.
- Lim was the second MP to have been kicked out in the past two days. His DAP colleague and Jelutong MP RSN Rayer was ejected on Thursday.
#Mahathir Mohamad
#Dewan Rakyat
#Azalina Othman Said
#Noor Hisham Abdullah
#COVID-19
#Budget 2021
#Lim Lip Eng