There was a rare moment of unity across the aisle when MPs agreed on the need for greater immunity for members of Parliament to speak freely without fear or favour without fear of arrest.
They also agreed to compel companies to provide private rooms for mothers to breastfeed their babies.
Higher unemployment and a weakening economy
Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin (PKR-Bukit Katil) was shot down when he tried to move for a debate on the potential impact that Donald Trump as US president would have on Malaysia. The Speaker held that it was too early to evaluate Trump’s policies as stated during his presidential election campaign.
Many economists are already predicting an exodus of American companies out of Malaysia after Trump introduces new policies to stimulate growth in the world’s largest economy.
Trump takes office on Jan 20, but the next sitting of the Dewan Rakyat will only be in March.
The new US president is expected to increase public spending to boost US domestic growth, cut red tape to promote economic activities and review some trade deals to create more jobs in the US.
The possibility of Trump introducing higher tariffs especially on goods from China might have a direct impact on Malaysia. Higher tariffs would hamper Malaysian exports in the long term and global trade might start to slow down drastically.
COMMENT: The House should have been allowed to debate on the adverse impact and ways to boost domestic consumption and stimulate foreign direct investment. Malaysia is a small nation connected to the global economic web and it must react to the policies decided by the big boys.
Over RM30 million spent on pandas since 2014
This is the kind of news that would have Malaysians seething with anger, while many are complaining about having to suffer a higher cost of living.
The anger might have been muted had the money been spent on helping deserving students to get a degree, or towards conserving our own Orang Utan, Sumatera rhinoceros and the slow extinction of the Malayan tiger.
The two giant pandas, Fu Wa (Xing Xing) and Feng Yi (Liang Liang), were obtained on a 10-year loan from China in 2014, under heavy criticism about the cost of taking care of the animals.
Last year, the government paid China US$600,000 for every panda cub born here – and must return the cub to China when it is two years old, as agreed between the two countries in a conservation agreement.
In the end the pandas do not belong to Malaysia, even if they were born in Malaysia. It is all part of an agreement to enhance diplomatic ties with China.
RM26 billion more for the controversial East Coast Rail Link
Transport Minister Liow Tiong Lai explained that the increase was due in part to the falling value of the ringgit. The previous feasibility study was based on 2009-2010 exchange rates at RM3.2 to the US dollar, but the ringgit’s value could now fall to RM4.5 to the US dollar.
The minister also said the length of the new track had been increased from 545km to 600km. Tunnels through the Titiwangsa range had also caused an increase in the distance from 30km to 50km. The link would be viable for both passengers and cargo.
Liow accused opposition MPs of distorting the facts on the new railway line, and assured the House that the details of the new alignment and breakdown of costs would be disclosed eventually.
A Chinese company, China Communications Construction Co, has been awarded the contract to build the railway, with finance provided by the Export-Import Bank of China.
COMMENT: As taxpayers, we can only hope that the government had negotiated the best terms and conditions, and that the railway does not come with a price tag that would burden future generations.
Priming the pump for breastfeeding
Teo Nie Ching (DAP-Kulai) said the Malaysian workplace made breastfeeding undesirable despite progress made in extracting breast milk through breast pumps. She called for a new law so that work places are more conducive for breastfeeding.
Barisan Nasional MPs agreed that it was high time for such requirements.
For years pleas by breastfeeding mothers for private lactation rooms have fallen on deaf ears.
With more support from politicians, breastfeeding might become more acceptable at work with employers duty bound to provide a spare room for mothers to pump and store breast milk.
Charge only those who make seditious statements
Hanipa Maidin (Parti Amanah-Sepang) raised the issue of parliamentary immunity, saying MPs should not have to fear police action against them for raising matters of public interest in Parliament.
He cited Article 63(2) and 63(3) of the Federal Constitution on the rights of MPs.
Three MPs have been charged with breaching the Official Secrets Act by divulging information from Cabinet meetings in the Dewan Rakyat. The three are former deputy prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin (PPBM-Pagoh), former Second Finance Minister Ahmad Husni Hanadzlah (BN-Tambun) and former regional development minister Shafee Apdal (Parti Warisan Sabah-Semporna)
COMMENT: The Dewan Rakyat needs to be clear on this issue. There should be amendments made to parliamentary privileges so that MPs may speak freely in the House unless the matter is seditious. But will the majority of MPs support this?