THE need to revise Malaysia’s per capita grant (PCG) for schools — unchanged since 2002 — alongside the progress of the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO), formed key highlights during today’s Dewan Rakyat sitting.
According to the Order Paper published on the Parliament’s portal, Mordi Bimol (PH–Mas Gading) asked the Minister of Education whether the ministry intends to review the PCG rates, noting that the current allocation is no longer sufficient to cover school operational costs and teaching and learning (PdP) programmes, particularly in rural areas.
In the same session, Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN–Kubang Pasu) posed a question to the Minister of Digital, seeking clarification on NAIO’s contribution to national AI development, and how the ministry plans to collaborate with others to ensure effective cross-sectoral coordination in AI deployment.
Datuk Muslimin Yahaya (PN–Sungai Besar) queried the Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives on the rationale for introducing a new cooperative act to replace the Co-operative Societies Act 1993 (Act 502). He also asked how the new legislation would address present-day challenges and the evolving needs of Malaysia’s cooperative movement.
Meanwhile, S. Kesavan (PH–Sungai Siput) raised a question to the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation regarding the implementation status of the MySTI Programme — which promotes the use of locally researched and developed products and services — and the ministry’s efforts to enhance visibility of MySTI-branded innovations.
Following the oral question session, the Dewan Rakyat proceeded with ongoing debates on the 13th Malaysia Plan (RMK13), which began on Monday and has thus far seen participation from 78 Members of Parliament.
RMK13, themed ‘Redesigning Development’, was tabled by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on 31 July. It outlines a total investment requirement of RM611 billion to drive national development from 2026 to 2030.
The current parliamentary sitting is scheduled to run for 24 days, concluding on 28 August. - August 11, 2025
