THE quantum of financial assistance given by the Social Welfare Department to existing recipients is one of several issues to be raised in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Mohd Salim Sharif (Jempol-BN) will ask the women, family and community development minister on whether the amount granted is in line with the current cost of living, and if there are plans to review the current rate.

Natrah Ismail (Sekijang-PH) will also pose a question to the education minister on the long-term impact of Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah and Form 3 Assessment being scrapped.

She also wants the minister to state how the ministry measures the academic achievements for admission to boarding schools or colleges for Form 3 leavers.

There will also be a question from Pang Hok Liong (Labis-PH) to the finance minister on total national reserves as of May and total Bank Negara Malaysia’s foreign reserves as of May.

Pang also wants to know of plans to increase national reserves.

Meanwhile, Bung Moktar Radin (Kinabatangan-BN) will ask the tourism, arts and culture minister on the criteria that will be refined by the ministry in opening the country’s borders to more foreign countries such as China.

There will also be a resumption in the debate on the second reading of the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Amendment) Bill 2022, the Armed Forces Fund (Amendment) Bill 2022 and the Control of Tobacco Products and Smoking Bill 2022. – Bernama, August 1, 2022.