Budget 2027 debate resumes as MPs seek answers on MyKad security, haze and semiconductor jobs

THE Dewan Rakyat is set to scrutinise the government’s progress on semiconductor workforce development, identity security and cross-border haze mitigation today, alongside the continuing policy-stage debate on Budget 2027.

According to the Order Paper, Yeo Bee Yin (PH-Puchong) will seek an update from the Investment, Trade and Industry Minister on the National Semiconductor Strategy’s target of producing 60,000 skilled workers, including the number trained and expenditure incurred so far.

The issue comes as Malaysia seeks to strengthen its semiconductor workforce to support the development of its high-value electronics industry.

Mohamad Shafizan Kepli (GPS-Batang Lupar) will ask the Home Minister to explain how enhanced security features, chip technology and identity verification systems in the proposed new-generation MyKad would prevent forgery, cloning and identity theft while protecting citizens’ personal data.

Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) will seek details from the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister on diplomatic initiatives and cooperation with Indonesia to mitigate transboundary haze.

Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin (PN-Masjid Tanah) will ask the Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister for figures on micro-entrepreneurs who received financing and assistance from ministry agencies between 2023 and 2026.

She will also seek data on the proportion of recipients who progressed to small and medium enterprise status and their business failure rate after three years.

Meanwhile, Zahir Hassan (PH-Wangsa Maju) will ask the Transport Minister for the full implementation schedule for an open payment system across all public transport services in the Klang Valley.

After the question-and-answer session, the Home Minister is scheduled to table the Registration of Criminals and Undesirable Persons (Amendment) Bill 2026 for its first reading.

The House will then continue debating the Supply Bill 2027 at the policy stage, following its tabling by Prime Minister and Finance Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Oct 9.

The policy-stage debate is scheduled to run until Oct 22, with ministers due to deliver their winding-up speeches over four days from Oct 26. - October 21, 2026