Sixteen Ministries Wrap Up Royal Address Debate as Border Issue Takes Centre Stage in Parliament
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 16 ministries concluded their winding-up speeches on the motion of thanks for the royal address during the third week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting, following two weeks of debate by Members of Parliament.
The session began with the Finance Ministry, followed by several others including Communications, Transport, and Housing and Local Government, before continuing with eight more ministries such as Defence and Education.
The parliamentary sitting also featured a special briefing by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Malaysia’s land border with Indonesia in Sabah and Kalimantan.
Anwar stressed that the determination of the border was not based on compensation, reciprocity, or profit-and-loss considerations, but was firmly grounded in international laws and agreements.
He explained that the process relied on the 1891 Boundary Convention, the 1915 Boundary Agreement, and the 1928 Boundary Convention, which collectively govern the boundaries of Sabah and Sarawak.
Claims of Land Handover Rejected
The Prime Minister also dismissed allegations that Malaysia had surrendered 5,207 hectares of land to Indonesia in exchange for three villages near the Nunukan border area.
He described the claims as inaccurate and misleading.
“Resurveying and re-marking the boundary in Outstanding Boundary Problem areas has secured Malaysia an additional 780 hectares,” he said.
He added that Kampung Kabulangalor, Kampung Lepaga, and Kampung Tetagas are now officially within Malaysian territory.
Public Welfare Issues Raised
During the two-day sitting, MPs raised several issues related to public welfare, including concerns of Orang Asli communities amid digitalisation, the management of Bintulu Port, the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) programme, and proposals for online business licences.
Deputy Finance Minister Amir Hamzah Azizan said SARA assistance is credited directly to recipients’ identity cards and can be used at registered outlets for essential goods.
He noted that spending under the programme reached RM4.8 billion in 2025, with nearly all recipients utilising the facility.
Meanwhile, the government assured that digitalisation of security-related services would not affect the rights and future of any community, including the Orang Asli.
The Dewan Rakyat sitting is scheduled to run for 20 days and will conclude on March 3.
-wilayah.com.my
