Latest news with #Dewan Rakyat
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
In Dewan Rakyat today: Toll hike fallout, tariff burdens and senior welfare in the spotlight
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 — The implications for highway users if the Government does not postpone the increase in toll rates in 2025, as announced by the Prime Minister on 23 July will be among the issues focused on at today's Dewan Rakyat sitting. According to the Order Paper published on the Parliament's official website, Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan) will raise the matter during Minister's Question Time, followed by Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah (PN-Langkawi) who will ask the Communications Minister to state the MCMC investigation procedures for complaints related to statements on social media. Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) will ask the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister to state the objective of the new electricity tariff schedule in achieving the energy transition agenda and long-term sustainability and explain claims that the tariff places a burden on the public. During the Questions for Oral Answers Session, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man (PN-Kubang Kerian) will ask the Energy Transition and Water Transformation Minister regarding the current status of the waqf water programme that was launched during the previous administration and whether the ministry plans to officially include the waqf water programme in the National Water Resources Policy or the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP). Other questions include the welfare of senior citizens by Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PH-Bandar Tun Razak) who will ask the Women, Family and Community Development Minister about measures and efforts to introduce more comprehensive laws to protect senior citizens against neglect and abuse by family members. After the session ends, the sitting will continue with the tabling of the several bills for second reading, including the Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2025, the Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Energy Commission (Amendment) Bill 2025. The Second Meeting Of The Fourth Session Of 15th Parliament for the Dewan Rakyat will take place for 24 days till Aug 28. — Bernama
Malay Mail
2 days ago
- Health
- Malay Mail
Dzulkefly: Health Ministry moving towards total vape ban
KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The government is working towards a complete ban on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes, or vapes, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dzulkefly Ahmad told the Dewan Rakyat today. He said the Ministry of Health is currently studying the matter, which requires a thorough assessment from legal, industry, government revenue, and licensing perspectives before any such policy can be implemented. Dzulkefly said that current regulations only restricted the sale of smoking products at specialty stores while not covering other retail outlets or convenience stores. 'To achieve more comprehensive control, particularly a total ban on the use and sale of electronic cigarettes, a detailed study and further action at the federal level are still required,' he said during Question Time. 'In line with this, the Health Ministry is moving towards a complete ban on the sale and use of electronic cigarettes or vapes to curb this issue more effectively and comprehensively. However, the implementation of such a ban must be carried out carefully.' MORE TO COME
Free Malaysia Today
23-07-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
National scam centre gets over 500 calls a day, says Saifuddin
Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the government has taken several steps to improve cybersecurity, including by putting the police in charge of the NSRC. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : The National Scam Response Centre (NSRC) has been receiving over 500 calls a day on online scams as cybercrime continues to rise in Malaysia, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat today. He said the government had taken several steps to improve cybersecurity, including by putting the police in charge of the NSRC and amending laws to increase penalties for offences such as fraud linked to mule accounts and credit card abuse. 'Every day, the NSRC receives more than 500 calls. The trend is increasing. That is why the prime minister has agreed for the police to lead the centre,' Saifuddin said during the ministers' question time. He was responding to Chong Zhemin (PH-Kampar), who asked for the number of cybercrime cases reported in 2024 and the ministry's efforts to improve digital safety. Saifuddin said a total of 45,086 cybercrime cases were reported in 2024, with investigation papers opened under the Penal Code, the Communications and Multimedia Act, and laws against online gambling and crimes involving children. He said there were two categories of cybercrime: cyber-enabled crime which involves traditional crimes that become easier with technology like online fraud and the dissemination of pornographic material, and cyber-dependent crime which requires hacking and malware. He said the ministry had increased the fines for certain offences from RM1,000 to RM10,000, particularly to combat the use of mule accounts, where criminals use other people's e-wallets or credit cards to move money. 'We want to stop the flow of money. That's our priority,' he added. On global cooperation, Saifuddin said Malaysia was in the process of joining the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, to enable the exchange of information with international agencies. 'We are also strengthening enforcement by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission, and the police,' he said. He said the NSRC would also operate around the clock as calls from victims are sometimes received after 10pm. To raise public awareness, he said the ministry had organised more than 10,000 programmes, including exhibitions and outreach campaigns. To a supplementary question by Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) on losses experienced by pensioners and the abuse of online platforms to sell fake products and pornographic material, Saifuddin said enforcement depends on which agency is involved. 'If it involves bank accounts, BNM will contact the banks to freeze them. People want their money returned. Our success rate is 49%, based on investigation papers opened and results delivered, but public expectations are higher,' Saifuddin said. He added that amendments to laws on cybercrime and real-time traffic data disclosure were underway. 'We are planning engagement sessions to finalise these changes,' he said. 121 complaints on high-profile impersonation cases Deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching told the Dewan Rakyat that the ministry had received 121 complaints this year alone on high-profile impersonation cases, including of the Agong, the sultan of Pahang, the prime minister, and MPs. She said MCMC responded by submitting 121 requests for Meta to remove the content. 'We are also studying Taiwan's approach, where platforms are required to verify both the advertiser and the party responsible for publishing the advertisements,' she said. She was responding to Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin), who asked whether platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Xiaohongshu had ever been charged or convicted in civil or criminal courts over such scam advertisements. In a follow-up question, he also asked whether the government could consider initiating a test case by taking platform providers to court. Teo replied: 'We could consider pursuing a test case against platform providers. This is an approach we can explore with the Attorney-General's Chambers.' While takedown efforts are ongoing, she added, 'platform providers must adopt stricter measures'.
