In break from tradition, Senate to debate GST, SST before Agong's speech

In a rare break from convention, the Dewan Negara will be debating government bills and business during its first sitting of its upcoming session, with those related to GST and SST near the top of the list.

This is in contrast to the usual practice for both Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara to give thanks for and to debate the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech for the first few days of their respective sessions.

According to the calendar on the Parliament’s website, the Senate will be debating government bills and business on its first two days of its upcoming session – Aug 20 and Aug 27.

The dates from Aug 28 to Aug 30 are earmarked for the motion of thanks for the Agong’s speech, followed by debates on Sept 3, and ministers’ replies for the next three days.

Finally, on the final day of the session on Sept 12, the Senate will once again deliberate on government bills and business.

This arrangement is reflected in the senate’s order paper for Aug 20.

According to the list, the government’s first order of business is for the Home Ministry to move that the Senate directs the inspector-general of police to ensure the security of the Parliament, including ensuring safe passage for its members.

This is followed by various government bills passed by the lower house, with the first five being those related to GST and SST.

These are, in order of appearance: Sales Tax Bill 2018, Service Tax Bill 2018, Goods and Services Tax (Repeal) Bill 2018, Customs (Amendment) Bill 2018, and the Free Zones (Amendment) Bill 2018.

Other bills slated for debate are the Supply (Reallocation of Appropriated Expenditure) Bill 2018, Anti-Fake News (Repeal) Bill 2018, Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (Dissolution) Bill 2018, and Land Public Transport (Amendment) Bill 2018.

Lastly, senator Mohd Nor Monutty will move that the House give thanks for the Agong’s speech, which had been delivered to both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara on July 17.

The government plans to replace GST with SST beginning Sept 1.

However, it faces the possibility of a serious challenge from BN against its bills, since BN still controls a majority of the upper house. - Mkini