PARLIAMENT NEWS IN BRIEF: JUNE 27

IMPORTED WHITE RICE SUBSIDIES FOR SABAH, SARAWAK, LABUAN EXPECTED TO REACH NEARLY RM500 MILLION - ARMIZAN 

KUALA LUMPUR -- The government expects subsidies for imported rice to Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan to reach up to RM500 million this year, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

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Minister of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said from October to December 2023, RM92.84 million was allocated for subsidies on essential goods.

In addition, he said last year, RM96 million was allocated for egg subsidies in Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan, with an estimated RM3.6 billion earmarked for diesel subsidies at petrol stations and for fishermen in these states this year.

He said this in reply to a question from Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau) during the oral question and answer session, who asked about plans to standardise prices between Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah/Sarawak, as well as mechanisms to combat the smuggling of subsidised goods.

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On the smuggling of subsidised goods, Armizan affirmed the government's ongoing commitment to addressing these challenges, especially concerning controlled and subsidised items at the border areas.

-- BERNAMA

MALAYSIA WILL USE INTERNATIONAL PLATFORMS TO SECURE PALESTINE'S FULL MEMBERSHIP IN UN 

KUALA LUMPUR -- Malaysia will continue to use international platforms to advocate for Palestine's full membership in the United Nations (UN).

Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad Alamin emphasised that Malaysia consistently voices a firm stance at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to protect Palestinians from illegal occupation, apartheid policies and human rights violations by Israel.

"Malaysia remains steadfast in its efforts to champion the Palestinian cause through the UN Human Rights Council. We are dedicated to working towards the establishment of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital. We also strive for Palestine to achieve full UN membership," he said during the oral question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

He said this in reply to Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (PN-Sik) regarding Malaysia's role as a member of the UNHRC for the 2022-2024 session, particularly in enhancing solidarity policies in support of Palestine.

-- BERNAMA

RM893 MLN SPENT ON WELFARE ASSISTANCE FOR 540,000 RECIPIENTS - KPWKM

KUALA LUMPUR --  The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has spent RM893 million to help over 540,000 welfare recipients, the Dewan Rakyat was told today.

Deputy Minister Datuk Seri Noraini Ahmad highlighted that of the total, RM103 million was allocated specifically for assisting children in need.

"While acknowledging the temporary nature of this aid, the government's support is geared towards sustaining livelihoods. Assistance is provided through KPWKM, in collaboration with the Health Ministry, Rural Development and the National Unity Ministry as well as the National Council for Children," she said during the oral question and answer session.

She was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Mohd Shahar Abdullah (BN-Paya Besar) on the government initiatives to ensure all 8.7 per cent of children receive assistance, despite only one per cent currently receiving benefits.

-- BERNAMA

MCMC BLOCKED 19 WEBSITES, REMOVED 23 CONTENTS VIOLATING MOH REGULATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR -- From Jan 1 to June 1 this year, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) blocked 19 websites that violated regulations under the Ministry of Health (MOH), said Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching.

She said during the same period, 23 pieces of content were removed through collaboration between MCMC and MOH to combat misleading food product advertising, as well as the advertising and sale of unregistered drugs.

"All actions taken were in response to violations involving the Poison Act 1952, the Control of Drug and Cosmetics Regulations 1984 and the Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act 1956," she said during the oral question and answer session at the Dewan Rakyat today.

Teo further clarified that the decision to remove content was based on evaluations of terms of service and community standards established by platform providers.

She said this in reply to Nordin Ahmad Ismail (PN-Lumut) regarding the increase in pornographic videos and images on platforms such as Facebook and Telegram, frequently used for promoting sex-related products.

-- BERNAMA  

TAGS: Dewan Rakyat, Armizan Mohd Ali, Noraini Ahmad, Teo Nie Ching, MCMC, MOH

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