THE effectiveness of government spending on obesity and diabetes treatment, Malaysia's rare earth elements (REE) industry development and the economic returns from Visit Malaysia 2026 will come under parliamentary scrutiny as the Dewan Rakyat begins its Budget 2027 committee-stage proceedings today.
Among the key questions, Ramkarpal Singh (PH-Bukit Gelugor) will seek the Health Minister's explanation on the number of obesity and diabetes patients who have received GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) treatment under the Budget 2026 initiative and the funding channelled to healthcare facilities.
He will also ask whether the provision of the treatment has helped reduce obesity and diabetes cases.
On the industrial front, Ahmad Saad\@Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena) will ask the Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister about progress in developing a policy framework for the REE industry, including opportunities to expand downstream activities.
The economic impact of the tourism campaign will also be examined, with Manndzri Nasib (BN-Tenggara) seeking the latest figures on foreign tourist arrivals, national revenue generated and the effectiveness of international promotional strategies under Visit Malaysia 2026.
Separately, Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Independent-Kuala Kangsar) will question the Transport Minister on the capabilities of artificial intelligence-powered scanners at existing cargo terminals to detect attempts to smuggle dangerous goods.
He will also seek details of safeguards to ensure AI screening results are not treated as the sole basis for approving cargo clearance.
The questions are listed in today's Dewan Rakyat Order Paper.
After the oral question-and-answer session, proceedings will continue with the committee-stage debate and ministerial replies on the Supply Bill 2027.
According to the parliamentary calendar, the Budget 2027 committee-stage proceedings are scheduled to run until Nov 26. - November 2, 2026
