KUALA LUMPUR: The Dewan Negara, which convened from Dec 1, was adjourned sine die on Thursday (Dec 18) after approving 13 bills.
Among the bills passed were the National Skills Development (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Skills Development Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Employees' Social Security (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Employment Insurance System (Amendment) Bill 2025, all under the purview of the Human Resources Ministry.
In addition, the Dewan Negara also approved the Supply Bill 2026, the Finance Bill 2025 and the Measures for the Collection, Administration and Enforcement of Tax Bill 2025 under the Finance Ministry, as well as the Anti-Bullying Bill 2025 and the Legal Profession (Amendment) Bill 2025 under the Prime Minister's Department.
Also passed were the Immigration (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the Passports (Amendment) Bill 2025 under the Home Ministry; the Rukun Tetangga (Amendment) Bill 2025 under the National Unity Ministry; and the Perbadanan Kemajuan Filem Nasional Malaysia (Amendment) Bill 2025 under the Communications Ministry.
Among the highlights of the session was the presence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Minister of Finance, for the second reading of the Supply Bill 2026 on Dec 2.
The Prime Minister announced an allocation of RM500mil to repair public infrastructure damaged in most states by the recent floods and reaffirmed the government's commitment to implementing a targeted mechanism for RON95 petrol subsidies through the BUDI MADANI RON95 (BUDI95) programme.
During the oral question-and-answer session on Dec 16, Anwar also announced that amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act 2010 would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat next year to clearly distinguish genuine whistleblowers from those who seek to abuse the law for criminal purposes.
In addition, the sitting also saw six senators take the oath of office for a second term before Dewan Negara president Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah on Dec 3.
They included Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs) Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar.
On Dec 10, Deputy Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Dr Fuziah Salleh and former Deputy National Unity Minister K. Saraswathy were also sworn in as senators for a second term.
Mohd Na'im and Saraswathy were subsequently dropped from the new Cabinet line-up announced by the Prime Minister on Tuesday (Dec 16).
Preacher Marhamah Rosli, who was appointed as the new Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Religious Affairs), was sworn in as a senator on the same day.
Meanwhile, Awang Bemee, in his closing speech, congratulated all senators for their active participation in the debates on the bills brought from the Dewan Rakyat.
"This is a commendable achievement that reflects the efficiency, commitment and high level of professionalism among senators in carrying out their legislative responsibilities," he said.
He also extended his best wishes to all senators and those celebrating Christmas and advised them to exercise caution on the roads as they returned to their respective hometowns.
The Dewan Negara was then adjourned sine die. – Bernama
