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THE Dewan Rakyat to commence its third meeting of the year with a significant legislative agenda on Monday, led by the tabling of Budget 2026 and a landmark session featuring public briefings by parliamentary select committees – a first in Malaysia’s legislative history.
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim tabled the national budget on Friday, marking his fourth under the MADANI administration and the first framed within the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13).
Titled “People’s Budget”, the proposed Budget 2026 allocates RM470 billion in total public expenditure, with RM338.2 billion earmarked for operating expenses and RM81 billion for development.
Additional funding includes RM30 billion in investments by government-linked investment companies, RM10 billion via public-private partnerships, and RM10.8 billion from federal statutory bodies and Minister of Finance Incorporated entities.
Debate on the budget at the policy level will begin on Monday for eight days, with ministerial replies scheduled from 29 October, followed by a 14-day committee-level review starting 5 November.
A significant parliamentary reform unfolded earlier in the week, when three Special Select Committees—Infrastructure, Transport and Communications; Environment, Science and Plantations; and Women, Children and Community Development—delivered public briefings on their findings and recommendations.
Among the issues addressed were the Putra Heights gas pipeline explosion, the future of underground water resources, and gaps in early childhood care and education.
Describing the session as a turning point, Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said it marked "a parliamentary reform step to strengthen transparency, accountability, and empower the role of committees".
Minister’s Question Time (MQT) on Tuesday was not held, as the Prime Minister was attending the Conference of Rulers.
However, the sitting continued with oral questions. MQT sessions, typically conducted on Tuesdays, provide a direct platform for Members of Parliament to pose questions to the Prime Minister, with ministers responding on Thursdays.
The Auditor-General’s Report (LKAN) Volume 3/2025 also featured prominently in the week’s proceedings, drawing scrutiny over financial mismanagement, non-compliance with regulations, and systemic weaknesses within federal agencies.
"The tabling of LKAN in the Dewan Rakyat demonstrates the robustness of our national financial oversight mechanisms," said Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform).
“Only through debate and scrutiny can we address shortcomings, understand criticisms, and improve the system. This proves the MADANI Government is not afraid of criticism but embraces it as part of improvement.”
Parliament also passed two amendment bills. The Hire Purchase (Amendment) Bill 2025 abolishes the Rule of 78 and the use of flat-rate interest methods for fixed-rate hire purchase loans.
The Private Agencies (Amendment) Bill 2025 seeks to streamline the licensing and renewal process for private security agencies.
Other matters that captured parliamentary attention included Malaysia’s response to a United States-led Gaza peace initiative, the proposed separation of powers between the Attorney-General and the Public Prosecutor, naturalisation procedures for citizenship, and a controversial gala dinner where alcohol was served.
The redevelopment of Kampung Sungai Baru was also clarified by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa, who stated that the area was never gazetted as a Malay Agricultural Settlement (MAS) or as Malay Reserve Land.
The current parliamentary sitting will run for 35 days until 4 December. - October 12, 2025