Malaysia

Electricity bills, data centre returns and haze health risks in Dewan Rakyat spotlight

MPs to press on household protection against electricity tariff increases, specifically whether RM385.7 billion in approved data centre investments delivers net economic benefits

Updated 54 minutes ago · Published on 15 Oct 2026 8:50AM

Electricity bills, data centre returns and haze health risks in Dewan Rakyat spotlight
Lawmakers to raise queries on safeguards for public health and aviation safety - October 15, 2026

THE impact of electricity tariff increases on households, the returns Malaysia gains from billions of ringgit in data centre investments and the health risks posed by worsening haze are among the issues set to come under scrutiny in the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to the Dewan Rakyat Order Paper, Azli Yusof (PH-Shah Alam) will ask the Minister of Energy Transition and Water Transformation to explain the factors behind higher domestic electricity charges and how the Energy Commission’s assurance that about 85 per cent of households are protected through the Energy Efficiency Incentive will be upheld.

Rodziah Ismail (PH-Ampang) will seek details of how the government measures the net added value of data centre investments, including their impact on resource consumption, incentives, employment, local content and the country’s opportunity costs. Her question follows the approval of RM385.7 billion in investments in the sector since 2021.

Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) will ask the Health Ministry about measures to mitigate the public health impact of haze, including coordination with the Department of Environment and other agencies on air quality monitoring, health warnings and protection for vulnerable groups.

Aviation safety will also come under scrutiny, with Datuk Dr Richard Rapu @ Aman Begri (GPS-Betong) seeking details of the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia’s safety audit records, surveillance audits and latest inspection of helicopter operator 80-105 9M-LLF following a crash in Long Lellang.

Datuk Wan Hassan Mohd Ramli (PN-Dungun) will ask the Youth and Sports Ministry to assess preparations for the 2026 Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, including organisational effectiveness, operational readiness, stakeholder coordination and areas for improvement.

Other issues include the rise in synthetic drug abuse in Sarawak, with Chong Chieng Jen (PH-Stampin) seeking details of the trend and the effectiveness of Royal Malaysia Police enforcement measures.

Shaharizukirnain Abd Kadir (PN-Setiu) will ask whether the government plans to amend the Environmental Quality Act 1974 to blacklist companies and importers that repeatedly commit offences involving illegal electronic waste.

Datuk Willie Mongin (GPS-Puncak Borneo) will seek details of efforts to strengthen the legal and policy framework on national unity in addressing sensitive issues involving royalty, religion and race, including a proposed comprehensive National Unity Act.

The sitting will also see the first reading of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2026, followed by the fourth day of debate on the Supply Bill (Budget) 2027. - October 15, 2026

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