THE increase in the prices of goods, shortage of local white rice and smog situation are among the matters to be raised in the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to the Order Paper on the official parliament website, Doris Sophia Brodi (Sri Aman-GPS) will ask the domestic trade and cost of living minister about the government’s strategy and efforts in controlling the sudden increase in the prices of goods, especially essential items.

The question will be raised during the question for oral answers session.

There will also be a question from Shahidan Kasim (Arau-PN) to the prime minister on the number of permanent relief centres that have been built and their locations.

The matter was raised following the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Zahid Hamidi on January 31 that the government will build permanent relief centres in areas that are susceptible to flooding.

After the session, the agriculture and food security minister is scheduled to give an explanation on the issue of local white rice supply while the natural resources, environment and climate change minister will explain the smog situation that is affecting the country.

Also, the defence minister will give a briefing on the Boustead Group, which is one of the subsidiaries of the Armed Forces Fund Board, and the home minister will explain the issue of prison and detention centre reform.

Today’s meeting will also see the tabling of six bills for the first reading.

The bills are the Trade Unions (Amendment) Bill 2023, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Bill 2023, Electricity Supply (Amendment) Bill 2023, National Water Services Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2023, Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2023 and Public Finance and Responsibility Bill 2023. – Bernama, October 9, 2023.