THE Dewan Negara today passed three bills namely the Armed Forces Fund (Amendment) Bill 2022, Courts of Judicature (Amendment) Bill 2022, and Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2022. 

Deputy Defence Minister Ikmal Hisham Abdul Aziz when winding up the debate on the Armed Forces Fund (Amendment) Bill 2022 said the amendment aims to ensure that the contributions of military personnel to the Armed Forces Fund Board (LTAT) are safe and protected. 

He said the ministry will not condone any misconduct related to the contributions. 

The Courts of Judicature (Amendment) Bill 2022 involves amendments to the Courts of Judicature Act 1964 (Act 91) in providing for paper-free appeal documents and records in criminal appeal proceedings and limiting appeals to civil interlocutory cases. 

For the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill 2022, the amendment was made following the amendment of Act 91, which involves the provision of paperless appeal documents and records in criminal appeal trials. 

Both bills were tabled by Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Parliament) Mas Ermieyati Samsudin. 

Before today’s sitting was adjourned, Mas Ermieyati said the proposal to hold an oral question session for the prime minister and ministers in Dewan Negara should be referred to the Senate Meeting Rules Committee in accordance with the procedure set out in Meeting Regulation 73. 

Earlier, A. Kesavadas proposed the motion, which he said aims to strengthen the role and function of the Dewan Negara as traditionally practised in the Dewan Rakyat. 

The Minister’s Question Time practice has been allowed in Parliament since October 2016. 

The Dewan Negara sitting continues Monday. – Bernama, August 11, 2022.