THE tabling of Budget 2024 will be the highlight of Dewan Rakyat sessions from tomorrow until November 30. 

According to parliament’s official website, the tabling of the Supply Bill 2024 by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is also finance minister, will take place at 4pm on October 13. 

Anwar reportedly said both the Health Ministry (MOH) and Education Ministry would continue to receive the largest allocations under Madani Budget 2024. 

He said among the matters to be focussed on in the MOH budget are the building of health clinics and resolving congestion in government hospitals nationwide. 

The parliament calendar indicates that the Supply Bill 2024 will be debated at the policy stage from October 16 to 26.  

It would then be debated at the committee stage from November 6 to 27, before being approved by Dewan Rakyat. 

Among the bills that will be tabled for the second reading is the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Bill 2023, scheduled for October 10. 

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa previously said the bill is a form of continued commitment by the MOH and unity government to ensure the health and safety of the people. 

The bill was tabled for the first reading in Dewan Rakyat on June 12, and was referred to the Special Select Committee (JKPK) on Health and an assessment was made by members of the JKPK to strengthen the bill so that it could be discussed and supported by all parties. 

In addition, the Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2023 is also expected to be tabled during the session. 

Deputy Finance Minister Ahmad Maslan said the tabling was in line with the decision of the cabinet meeting on June 5 to respect and give more power to Sabah and Sarawak in the spirit of the Malaysia Agreement 1963. 

Meanwhile, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul hoped the session would be filled with quality debates and ideas for national development. 

He was quoted as saying it is important for MPs to show good values because there are studies showing young people are increasingly interested in listening to debates and following developments in parliament. – Bernama, October 8, 2023.