Malaysia

Parliament to raise monsoon readiness and floating school expansion

The Dewan Rakyat on issues regarding flood-season preparedness and innovative schooling to national-flag offences and the state of Malaysia Airlines’ grounded fleet

Updated 8 months ago · Published on 20 Nov 2025 8:55AM

Parliament to raise monsoon readiness and floating school expansion
MPs press ministers on medicines, flag misuse and MAS groundings headline seeking clarity on long-term government strategies. - November 20, 2025

THE nation’s preparations for the Northeast Monsoon and the future of floating schools will take centre stage when the Dewan Rakyat convenes on Thursday, 20 November, with ministers set to face pointed questions on infrastructure resilience, education innovation and essential public services.

According to the Order Paper published on Parliament’s website, Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang) is expected to press the Works Minister on the ministry’s readiness to ensure federal roads and slopes remain in “good and safe condition” throughout the monsoon season.

His question comes as several regions brace for the annual surge in rainfall and heightened risks of landslides and road closures.

S. Kesavan (PH–Sungai Siput) will turn the focus to education, seeking an update from the Education Minister on the “latest initiatives concerning the implementation of floating schools in Hulu Perak” and the ministry’s vision for broadening the programme in the years ahead.

The initiative, introduced to keep education accessible in flood-prone communities, is likely to attract renewed scrutiny as monsoon conditions intensify.

Health-sector concerns will surface during the question-and-answer segment when Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein (BN–Sembrong) asks the Health Minister what measures are being taken to counter shortages and price hikes of essential medicines, “including for chronic diseases”.

He will also seek clarification on the ministry’s long-term strategy to curb reliance on imported pharmaceuticals by bolstering local production and securing “affordable access to medicines for the people”.

National symbolism and legal enforcement will also come under discussion. Wan Razali Wan Nor (PN–Kuantan) plans to question the Home Minister on the number of cases involving improper display of the Jalur Gemilang and how many have resulted in prosecution and penalties from 2022 to 2025.

He will further ask whether the government intends to strengthen penalties for offences involving national symbols, “including the flag”.

Aviation capability rounds out the list of major queries, with Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH–Sungai Petani) set to ask the Transport Minister for details on the number of Malaysia Airlines aircraft grounded due to damage, the costs incurred, and whether the country has a sufficient pool of local aircraft engineers to undertake the necessary repair and maintenance work.

Following the oral questions, MPs will proceed with the committee-stage debate on the Supply Bill 2026. The Third Meeting of the Fourth Session of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to sit for 35 days, concluding on 4 December. - November 20, 2025

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