TH Investment Strategy, Risk Management Among Focus In Dewan Rakyat

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 5  – The government’s strategy to diversify Lembaga Tabung Haji’s (TH) investment portfolio and reinforce its risk management framework will take center stage on the opening day of the third meeting of the fifth session of the 15th Parliament on Monday, October 5, 2026.

According to the Order Paper published on the official Parliament website, Datuk Che Mohamad Zulkifly Jusoh (PN-Besut) is slated to query the Prime Minister during the Oral Question-and-Answer session regarding measures ensuring the long-term sustainability of TH funds to cushion the rising costs of performing the haj for Malaysian pilgrims.

Diplomatic Safety, Food Security, and Education Legislation

The parliamentary order paper covers a broad range of socio-economic and policy issues across multiple ministries:

• Safety of Citizens Abroad: Datuk Seri Sh Mohmed Puzi Sh Ali (BN-Pekan) will ask the Foreign Minister about plans to upgrade the registration system for Malaysians traveling or residing abroad, including whether mandatory registration will be enforced for high-risk destinations to enable rapid emergency response.
• Food Import Reliance: Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) will question the Agriculture and Food Security Minister on strategies to curb national food imports—which surpassed RM90 billion in 2025—and measures taken against the dumping of foreign agricultural products.
• Higher Education Governance: Oscar Ling Chai Yew (PH-Sibu) will seek updates from the Higher Education Minister regarding the repeal status of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1971 (AUKU), including drafting timelines and transition frameworks for replacement legislation.

Constitutional Rights, Ageing Policy, and AI Governance

In addition, lawmakers are scheduled to press for progress reports on state devolution, national demographic planning, and artificial intelligence regulation:

• MA63 Negotiating Progress: Datuk Willie anak Mongin (GPS-Puncak Borneo) will inquire about ongoing Federal-Sarawak negotiations regarding state rights under the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63), specifically focusing on implementation timelines for regulatory authority over regional oil and gas resources.
• National Ageing Framework: Datuk Seri Dr Zaliha Mustafa (PH-Sekijang) will ask the Economy Minister about the timeline to table the National Ageing Action Plan and the establishment of specific metrics measuring the “Silver Economy” contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).
• AI Regulation & Safety: Datuk Dr Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (PN-Kubang Pasu) will prompt the Digital Minister on the government’s stance regarding international calls to slow artificial intelligence (AI) development and updates on drafting a Malaysian AI Act.

First Readings and Committee Reports

The session will mark the first reading of two pieces of legislation: the Sports Development (Amendment) Bill 2026 by the Youth and Sports Minister, and the Food (Amendment) Bill 2026 by the Health Minister.

Parliament will also receive briefings on three reports from Parliamentary Select Committees and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), touching on national refugee management and the administration of court bail payments via the e-Jamin system.

The third meeting of the fifth session of the 15th Parliament is scheduled to sit for 37 days, concluding on December 8, 2026.

–NMT