Budget 2026 Passed At Policy Stage; RON95 Subsidy, Art Clarification Among Week’s Highlights

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 7 (Bernama) -- The fifth week of the Dewan Rakyat sitting saw the passing of the Supply Bill (Budget) 2026 at the policy stage following extensive debates that began on Oct 13.

The Bill, tabled by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 10, was approved through a bloc vote, with 120 Members of Parliament in favour, 67 against and 35 absent.

A total of 14 ministries concluded their winding-up sessions this week, including the Communications Ministry, Digital Ministry, Foreign Ministry, Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, Education Ministry and Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

This week’s proceedings also saw committee-level approval of the operating expenditure allocations for the Prime Minister’s Department, the Finance Ministry and the Foreign Ministry under Budget 2026.

The committee stage debate and winding-up for the Bill will continue for 14 days, from Nov 5 to 27.

Among the key announcements this week was the government’s decision to raise the eligibility ceiling under the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) programme for qualified e-hailing drivers to 800 litres per month, subject to prescribed travel conditions.

During the Ministers’ Question Time on Tuesday, Anwar said the decision was made after reviewing appeals from e-hailing drivers based on their actual fuel usage.

In a related move, the government has also agreed for airport taxis to be included among vehicles eligible for subsidised RON95 under the Subsidised Petrol Control Scheme (SKPS).

Lawmakers also brought up the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Malaysia and the United States, which certain quarters alleged could undermine Malaysia’s sovereignty.

Anwar explained that the agreement contains no provisions that contradict the Federal Constitution, adding that the Attorney-General’s Chambers plays a key role in ensuring all provisions comply with Malaysian laws.

The Prime Minister gave assurance that the agreement not only safeguards Bumiputera interests but also ensures that any enforcement measures will never override Malaysia’s domestic laws.

This week’s session was also marked by lively exchanges between government and opposition MPs, particularly when Deputy Works Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan quipped that he was “reluctant” to respond to opposition questions after they voted against Budget 2026 at the policy stage.

He made the remarks while responding to Muhammad Islahuddin Abas (PN-Mersing), who had asked about the ministry’s plans to upgrade roads, including the proposed Senai-Desaru–Mersing highway extension, the East Coast Expressway 4 (LPT4) from Pekan to Mersing, and the status of the Mersing bypass project.

“Mersing is an opposition constituency, yet their requests are endless. Just yesterday (Nov 4), these opposition MPs did not even support the budget, but they still submitted a long list of demands,” Ahmad said.

Meanwhile, the Employment Insurance System (Amendment) Bill 2025 was tabled for its first reading this week, aimed at strengthening the country’s social protection framework and expanding employment services to benefit more Malaysians.

The Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament will continue for 35 days until Dec 4.

-- BERNAMA