A week for a test for PH government

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- The third week of current Dewan Rakyat session saw almost all new ministers and deputy ministers of Pakatan Harapan (PH) government tested on their capability to reply to issues raised by both government and opposition members of Parliament.

Twenty of the 25 ministries have completed winding up on the issues raised during the debate on the motion of thanks for the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's speech since July 18.

This included the Youth and Sports Ministry with the youngest minister in the cabinet, Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman seen calm and capable in controlling the situation despite being drilled with questions after he raised the issue of 'Macai' politics in youth organisations.

PH MP for Padang Serai M. Karupaiya described the winding session this time as being more open with ministers and deputy ministers giving more transparent answers compared to the Barisan Nasional government era.

However, he said there was a need for improvement in the new administration especially in replying to local issues posed by MPs on their respective constituencies.

"I also spoke about health and education issues for my area but I did not get an concrete answers," he said and stressed it was important for MPs to deliver the latest development on issues raised to the communities in the areas without doubts.

Nurul Izzah Anwar (PH-Permatang Pauh) admitted there was still room for improvement but she commended cabinet ministers for providing answers to all issues raised.

"This is the first time for the new administration, obviously there would be areas which needed improving. We have to remember that the level of answers depended on the questions raised by the opposition," she said.

Meanwhile opposition MP, Tan Sri Nor Omar (BN-Tanjung Karang) saw no new policies introduced during the winding up session by the government.

"The answers were more towards studying and reviewing. Nonetheless we have to be fair and according to my experience, it took at least six months to understand the ministry before creating new policies," said the former Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister.

Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan (BN-Pontian) said the excuse of financial constraint has become a trend among PH cabinet members in replying to questions by MPs.

The third week of Dewan Rakyat saw the tabling of bill to abolish the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and at the same time reintroduced the Sales and Services Tax (SST) for the first reading.

The second reading for the Sales Tax 2018 Bill, Services Tax 2018 Bill, Goods and Services Tax (Repeal) 2018 Bill, Customs (Amendment) 2018 Bill and Free Zones (Amendment) 2018 Bill are expected to be held in the fourth week of the session after the winding up session by ministries is completed.

The Pakatan Harapan government wanted to reintroduce SST in September after GST was zero rated on June 1 in line with its general election manifesto pledge.

Also attracting attention, was Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Mohamad Ariff Yusof who on Thursday withdrew the gag order disallowing MPs to touch on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the RM2.6 billion fund which allegedly went into the personal account of former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.

Mohamad Ariff however made the decision on disallowing debate on issues pertaining to the court case involving Najib who was charged in the High Court over three charges of breach of trust and one charge of abusing his position on SRC International Sdn Bhd funds amounting to RM42 million. -- Bernama

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