The upper house concluded its December session by approving major bills on skills, finance, and social security, with the Prime Minister announcing flood aid and subsidy plans.
KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara adjourned sine die today after a session that saw the passage of 13 bills.
The sitting, which began on December 1, concluded its legislative business for the year.
Key bills passed included amendments to the National Skills Development Act, the Skills Development Fund Act, and the Employees’ Social Security Act.
The Employment Insurance System Act was also amended, all under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resources.
The upper house approved the Supply Bill 2026, the Finance Bill 2025, and a new tax collection bill from the Ministry of Finance.
It also passed the Anti-Bullying Bill 2025 and amendments to the Legal Profession Act from the Prime Minister’s Department.
Other legislation covered immigration, passports, the Rukun Tetangga, and the National Film Development Corporation.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim attended the session for the second reading of the Supply Bill 2026 on December 2.
He announced an allocation of RM500 million for repairing public infrastructure damaged by recent floods.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to implementing a targeted RON95 petrol subsidy through the BUDI MADANI programme.
During a question session, Anwar stated that amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 would be tabled next year.
The changes aim to better distinguish genuine whistleblowers from those abusing the law.
Six senators were sworn in for a second term during the sitting.
They included Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.
Former religious affairs minister Datuk Dr Mohd Na’im Mokhtar and former deputy national unity minister K. Saraswathy were also sworn in.
Both were subsequently dropped from the new Cabinet announced on Tuesday.
New deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Religious Affairs) Marhamah Rosli was sworn in as a senator on the same day.
In his closing speech, Dewan Negara president Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah congratulated senators for their active participation.
“This is a commendable achievement that reflects the efficiency, commitment and high level of professionalism among senators,” he said.
He extended festive wishes and advised caution for those travelling during the holiday period.
