PARLIAMENT | NGOs want AG-PP separation debate postponed; S’gor MB defends Anwar

PARLIAMENT SNAPSHOT | What’s going on in Parliament today, with updates at 11.30am, 2.30pm, and 6pm.

6pm

AG-PP separation

• A coalition of civil society groups, including Bersih, has called on the government to postpone tomorrow’s planned debate on a bill to separate the roles of attorney-general and public prosecutor.

  While they supported the spirit of the proposal, they expressed concern over the prime minister’s indirect influence in the appointment of the public prosecutor and the lack of parliamentary oversight.

  

  They reiterated calls for Parliament to vet public prosecutor candidates, as well as a clear separation that ensures that the attorney-general has no influence over the public prosecutor’s office.

Debate on constitutional amendments

• Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari (Harapan-Gombak) defended Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s dual role as the finance minister.

  In response to opposition MPs’ criticism of Anwar holding the finance portfolio, Amirudin said the result was a stronger ringgit and economy.

  

  This provided a net benefit to Malaysians, he said during his debate speech.

• Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Ramli Nor ejected Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) after the PAS MP refused to obey his ruling.

  The incident occurred after Awang interjected RSN Rayer (Harapan-Jelutong) during debates on constitutional amendments to introduce a two-term limit on the prime minister’s post.

  

  Rayer had cited the 2020 “Sheraton Move” and subsequent change of government as an example of unchecked powers by a prime minister, which would be prevented by the amendments.

  This prompted Awang to accuse the DAP MP of making false allegations, including towards the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who consented to the appointment of Pagoh MP Muhyiddin Yassin as the new prime minister.

  Ramli ejected Awang until voting was called for the constitutional amendment bill, but later allowed the PN lawmaker to return for his turn to debate.

2.30pm

Prime minister term limit

• Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stressed that limiting the premier’s tenure will not affect the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s prerogative powers.

  It will not diminish the Dewan Rakyat’s role in determining its level of confidence in the government, either, he said.

  

  Speaking during the second reading of the bill to introduce the constitutional amendment required for the term limit, Anwar said that the move will instead strengthen the national institution of checks and balances.

Iran conflict

• Anwar’s condemnation of the ongoing Israel-US attacks against Iran, with impacts on surrounding Gulf countries, received support from both backbenchers and opposition MPs.

  Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin thanked Anwar and the government for Malaysia’s stern stance, and proposed more support and assistance for efforts towards restoring peace in Iran.

  Howard Lee (Harapan-Ipoh Timur) and Saifuddin Abdullah (Independent-Indera Mahkota) both cited past events in history where US-backed “regime change” ultimately sparked lasting geopolitical turbulence.

  

  Meanwhile, Syahredzan Johan (Harapan-Bangi) called on MPs to boycott US embassy events.

  Six MPs debated Anwar’s ministerial briefing, with interjections. In his winding-up speech, Anwar noted how the issue has united MPs from all sides of the Dewan Rakyat, and reiterated the government’s commitment to all peacekeeping efforts.

• Earlier, before the motion was tabled, the Parliament Special Select Committee (PSSC) on international relations issued a statement condemning the attacks on Iran, calling them a violation of international law.

  “Article 2(4) of the UN Charter clearly prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state,” committee chairperson Wong Chen said in a joint press conference.

Governance

• Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will launch proceedings into three issues covered by the 2026 Auditor-General’s Report.

  PAC chairperson Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said her committee will look into governance issues and financial irregularities involving Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

  It will also probe into the government’s research and development, and commercialisation and innovation programmes, she said.

  

  Besides that, the PAC intends to scrutinise the management of Pelaburan Hartanah Berhad, she added.

  Mas Ermieyati said that details, such as the dates for proceedings and the witnesses who will be called, will be determined later.

Social media

• Suhaizan Kaiat (Harapan-Pulai) asked whether the government can prosecute social media platform owners Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk under its deeming power outlined in the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 if their platforms are found breaking local laws.

  The deeming provision under Section 46A of the CMA requires the automatic registration of service provider licence holders on overseas-based online platforms, subjecting them to Malaysian laws.

  Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching, in her response, did not directly address the question but instead spoke on the legal provisions that empower the MCMC to take enforcement action.

  

  She also said the platforms have mostly been compliant with the government’s take-down requests involving financial scams, harassment, and hate speech, among others.

11.30am

Governance

• The Dewan Rakyat will debate a proposed constitutional amendment today, which sets a 10-year term limit for the prime minister.

  Putrajaya intends for the law to be retroactive.

  The opposition had indicated that it would not support the amendment, saying it is potentially unconstitutional and touches on the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s prerogative to appoint a prime minister.

READ MORE: Najib can be PM for one more year under proposed term-limit law

Education

• Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh said starting next year, classes on Chinese and Tamil will be offered to students with special educational needs (SEN) who wish to learn their mother tongue.

  The SEN curriculum next year will also offer three subjects in three languages, which will be taught according to the medium of instruction in that school, he said.

  

  The subjects are basic education for individuals with visual disabilities, Malaysian sign language, and life management.

Environment

• Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister Fadillah Yusof said the Irrigation and Drainage Department has 14 flood mitigation plans on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and another 12 in Sabah and Sarawak.

  

  These have either been implemented or are in the process of being carried out, he told the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

  The flood mitigation plans will increase according to factors such as land use, population growth, and rainfall, he added.

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