THE Perikatan Nasional government will follow the decision of the previous Pakatan Harapan government in not ratifying the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), said Deputy Foreign Minister Kamarudin Jaffar.

He said the United Nations has confirmed Malaysia’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute on April 29, 2019.

He was responding to a question by Maria Chin Abdullah (Petaling Jaya-PH) on Malaysia’s status in Rome Statute and the possibility of the government rejoining it.

Meanwhile, Deputy Home Minister I Dr Ismail Mohamed Said said the ministry will, from time to time, review existing legislation on insulting and playing racial cards as well as religious issues.

He said, however, current laws including the Sedition Act 1948, Penal Code and Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 are sufficient to make offenders repent, apart from acting as a deterrent.

He was responding to a question by Ramli Mohd Nor (Cameron Highlands-BN) on whether the government intends to amend existing laws or regulations for heavier punishment on those who insult, ridicule or play up religious issues. 

On another issue, the RM24 million allocation announced in Budget 2021 to address mental health issues, also includes the improvement of facilities and human resources of the Health Ministry’s mental health sector.

Its minister, Dr Adham Baba said there was no reduction in funds for the sector. He said the funds will also be used to implement various initiatives to strengthen the mental health programme.

He said this in reply to a question from Nor Azrina Surip (Merbok-PH) on the ministry’s plan to increase staff at the ministry’s mental health unit.

On the agricultural side, the government has allocated RM1.5 billion annually to the padi and rice industry through various subsidy and incentive programmes to assist farmers in the country, said Deputy Agriculture and Food Industries Minister II Che Abdullah Mat Nawi.

He said this includes subsidies under the federal government’s Padi Fertiliser Scheme, Padi Production Incentive Scheme, Certified Padi Seeds Incentive, Padi Price Subsidy Scheme as well as the Bukit/Huma Padi Fertiliser and Pesticide Scheme.

“The subsidies for the padi and rice industry will continue with an allocation of RM1.57 billion for 2021,” he said in response to a question from Sabri Azit (Jerai-PAS) on whether the government has introduced new incentives to reduce the cost of living of farmers due to Covid-19. – Bernama, November 18, 2020.