New MyKad's security, efforts to tackle cross-border haze among topics in Dewan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR: 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 center stage during the Dewan Rakyat sitting today.

According to the Order Paper, during the question-and-answer session, Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-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 (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 (PH-Puchong) to the investment, trade and industry regarding the latest status minister of the initiative to produce 60,000 skilled workers in the semiconductor field under the National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), including the number of individuals trained and the budget spent so far.

Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (Bersatu-Masjid Tanah) will ask the entrepreneur development and cooperatives minister 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 (SMEs), and the business failure rate after three years.

Additionally, Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju) will pose a question to the transport minister 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 2027 Budget by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the finance minister, on Oct 9.

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