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KEY issues such as the smuggling of pork, the status of the Pan Borneo Highway (LPB), and the increasing resignation trend among doctors and nurses in public health facilities are among the focal points of today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting.
According to the Order Paper published on the Parliament portal, Sim Tze Tzin (PH–Bayan Baru) raised a question during the oral question session to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security regarding enforcement actions by the Malaysian Quarantine and Inspection Services Department (MAQIS) against the illegal smuggling of pork meat, which poses risks of Streptococcus suis and African Swine Fever outbreaks.
Tze Tzin also requested clarification on the number of arrests made in relation to pork smuggling activities so far this year.
In the same session, Datuk Dr Alias Razak (PN–Kuala Nerus) sought an update from the Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability on the status of the feasibility study into rare earth element (REE) mining activities within Permanent Forest Reserves (HSK), including the timeline for the study’s conclusion.
Meanwhile, Datuk Matbali Musah (GRS–Sipitang) posed a question to the Minister of Works regarding the latest status and detailed timeline for each phase of the Pan Borneo Highway construction, specifically for packages WP01 (Sindumin–Melalia) and WP02 (Melalia–Beaufort).
Wong Shu Qi (PH–Kluang) requested the Minister of Health to provide detailed figures on the number of doctors and nurses who resigned, alongside recruitment figures, between 2020 and 30 June 2025. She also asked about the steps taken to address staffing shortages in public hospitals.
Following the question-and-answer session, the Dewan Rakyat proceedings continue with ministerial winding-up sessions on the Thirteenth Malaysia Plan (RMK13) debate.
A total of 161 Members of Parliament participated in the eight-day debate on RMK13, which began on 4 August.
RMK13, themed *‘Reshaping Development’*, was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also serves as Minister of Finance, on 31 July. The plan includes an investment allocation of RM611 billion for the period from 2026 to 2030.
The current Dewan Rakyat sitting will run for 24 days, concluding on 28 August. - August 18, 2025