Expect a heated Parliament session

It is expected to be busy one as the second batch of bills related to Najib's reform agenda is expected to be passed, but not without heated discussions

PETALING JAYA: Touted as the final one before the polls, the parliament session which starts on Monday is set to be a busy one as major bills and which are part of Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak’s political reform agenda is expected to be tabled.

Several of the bills expected to be tabled are -

- Two proposed laws to replace to Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960.

- Replacement to Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 where annual renewals would be done away with, and replaced with issuance of licence until it is revoked.

- Amendments to Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act (UUCA) where undergraduates will now be allowed to be members of political parties.

- Race Relations Bills.

This will be the third phase of the Government Transformation Plan (GTP) announced on the eve of Malaysia Day last September during which a slew of changes to restrictive laws were promised.

The first phase was carried out in October when the government scrapped the Restricted Residence Act 1933 and the Banishment Act 1959.

PSC report expected to be tabled

The second phase was carried out during the last parliament session from October to December, where laws were either passed or announcements were made to repeal emergency proclamations.

As promised, on Nov 24, the three existing emergency proclamations were lifted rendering the Emergency Public Order and Prevention of Crime Ordinance 1969 (EO) void.

The Peaceful Assembly Bill 2011 which is to replace Section 27 of The Police Act 1967, was also passed on November 29, but not without much contention.

There were five changes that were needed to be made to the initial bill before it was passed. The amendments were made after much protests by  Opposition MPs and also civil society members. The bill was eventually passed, even after all Opposition MPs staged a walkout.

Such heated incidents are to be expected in the coming session as well. Opposition MPs are already asking to view proposed bills before the government tables them in parliament.

The much anticipated final report by Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on electoral reform is also expected to be tabled at the tailend of sitting by the first week of April.

Current issues such as National Feedlot Centre (NFC), the proposed 1Care health care program, the on-going case between Malaysian Airlines and its former boss, Tajudin Ramli are also expected to be debated heatedly.