KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 21): The justification for introducing a new-generation MyKad, its security levels, and cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia in tackling cross-border haze are among topics expected to take centre stage during the Dewan Rakyat sitting on Wednesday.

According to the order paper, during the question-and-answer session, Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (Gabungan Parti Sarawak-Batang Lupar) will ask the home minister to explain the extent to which enhanced security features, chip technology, and identity verification systems on the new MyKad can combat forgery, cloning, and the misuse of citizens' identities, while ensuring their personal data remains protected.

Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (independent-Kuala Kangsar) wants the minister of natural resources and environmental sustainability to explain the diplomatic actions and cooperation implemented by the Malaysian government with the Indonesian government to mitigate the risk of cross-border haze.

Also expected to draw attention is a question from Yeo Bee Yin (Pakatan Harapan-Puchong) to the minister of investment, trade and industry regarding the latest status of the initiative to produce 60,000 skilled workers in the semiconductor field under the National Semiconductor Strategy, including the number of individuals trained and the budget spent so far.

Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Perikatan Nasional-Masjid Tanah) will ask the minister of entrepreneur development and cooperatives to state the percentage of micro-entrepreneurs who received financing and assistance from the ministry's agencies from 2023 to 2026, those who successfully upgraded their business category to small or medium enterprises, and the business failure rate after three years.

Additionally, Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju) will pose a question to the minister of transport regarding the full implementation schedule of the open payment system for all public transportation services in the Klang Valley.

Following the question-and-answer session, the sitting is scheduled to proceed with the tabling of the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons (Amendment) Bill 2026 for its first reading by the home minister.

The sitting will then resume the debate on the Supply Bill 2027 at the policy stage following the tabling of Budget 2027 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the minister of finance, on Oct 9.

Based on the calendar for the third meeting of the fifth session of the 15th Parliament, the policy-stage debate on Budget 2027 runs from Oct 12 to 22, prior to the winding-up sessions by relevant ministers for four days beginning Oct 26.

The Dewan Rakyat sitting will run for 37 days until Dec 8.

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Uploaded by Tham Yek Lee