Lively Parliament meeting ahead

Fiery debates expected when lawmakers gather to table 15 Bills next week

PETALING JAYA: More sparks, heated debates and fiery verbal exchanges can be expected when lawmakers meet following the retabling of several crucial Bills in the looming Dewan Rakyat sitting.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said 15 Bills would be tabled when Parliament reconvenes next week.

She said six Bills were slated for the second reading and nine others for the first reading brought by respective ministries.

Among the main Bills the Government will be pushing for are amendments to the Legal Aid Act 1971 to allow underage victims of sexual crimes and their family members to gain access to legal advice.

She also said the much anticipated Domestic Violence Act 2017, aimed at widening the definition of abuse, would also be voted on.

“All these are for the benefit of the people, and we will prioritise the Government’s Bills,” Azalina added.

The second meeting, and fifth term of the 13th parliament, is set to convene from Monday until Aug 10.

In April, the Government withdrew several Bills, including amendments to the Law Reform (Marriage and Divorce Act) Act 1976, Commercial Vehicles Licensing Board Act 1987 and the Land Public Transport Act 2010.

The previous sitting set a new record when lawmakers debated for more than 20 hours on the Tourism Tax Bill to allow a levy to be imposed on tourists staying in hotels.

The debate session ended at 5.05am, surpassing the previous record time of 4.25am.

Azalina said the Government was still working on amendments to the Dangerous Drug Act 1952, which is aimed at giving judges the discretion to impose jail terms on traffickers instead of the mandatory death sentence.

“It is already in the final stage. We will bring it up to the Cabinet for approval,” she said.

There is also a possibility of the resumption of debates on the controversial amendments to the Syariah Courts (Criminal Jurisdiction) Act or RUU355 by PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

On this matter, Barisan Nasional backbencher Datuk Seri Irmohizam Ibrahim (BNKuala Selangor) said it would be up to the Government.

“The Government has the power to push through many Bills, and as backbenchers we will continue to give our input and recommendation.

“I have personally debated 12 Bills in a row, so anything can happen,” he said.

Anthony Loke (DAPSeremban) urged the Government to consider extending the Parliament sitting to allow lawmakers more time to scrutinise and debate the Bills.

“We have more or less 15 Bills to go through, but only 12 days for this session.

“Even if we debate one Bill per day, it won’t be enough,” he added.

Meanwhile, several PAS lawmakers have expressed their optimism over the resumption of debates on RUU355.

A senior PAS lawmaker from Kelantan, who declined to be named, said he was thankful to the Government and the Dewan Rakyat Speaker for allowing the Private Member’s Bill to be brought in Parliament.

“We hope that the Speaker will allow it to be debated this time,” he said.

Another PAS lawmaker from Kedah said that the move would strengthen unity among Muslim MPs.

“We just want the Bill to be debated professionally and based on facts.

“We do not want it to be politicised by any party,” he said.

Abdul Hadi, who is Marang MP, was allowed to table his Bill to propose the amendments to existing Syariah laws on April 6, which was the final day of the parliamentary meeting.

However, the motion was adjourned by Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia after it was read out.

All these are for the people and we will prioritise the Government’s Bills.

Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said