A meeting of members of the parliament in Malaysia (File photo: AFP/VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Lawmakers of the House of Representatives of Malaysia convened a special meeting on July 26 amid a state of emergency to curb the spread of COVID-19.
It was the fourth special meeting of the lawmakers ever and the first time that they gathered after a seven-month suspension.
Some 220 parliamentarians will sit for five day from July 26-29 and on August 2.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will make a statement on the National Recovery Plan (NPP), a strategy to exit the COVID-19 crisis while Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Ismail Sabri Yaakob will make a statement on the proclamation of the emergency.
Other ministers will also speak about the country’s COVID-19 action plan, vaccination efforts and aid packages.
The meeting will see all the MPs in attendance with adherence to the tight standard operating procedures that have been put in place, and ensuring physical distancing.
The Malaysian parliament did not convene this year after a state of emergency was declared on January 12 until August 1 to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In June, however, King Abdullah Riayatuddin Mustafa Billah Shah asked that the parliament should convene as soon as possible to enable the MPs to discuss and debate the National Recovery Plan and the emergency ordinances./.
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) on July 19 announced its Digital Investments Future5 (DIF5) Strategy, a plan focusing on five key thrusts aimed at attracting investments and advancing Malaysia’s digital economy in line with the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDIGITAL).
Malaysia's budget deficit is expected to grow to 6.5-7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) this year from a previous forecast of 6 percent after taking into account recent economic stimulus packages announced by the nation’s Government.
The international credit rating agency Fitch Ratings on July 19 affirmed Malaysia's long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) at 'BBB+' with a stable outlook.
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) - the lead agency of digital transformation in Malaysia, has unveiled its five-year plan which sets a target of attracting 50 billion ringgit (about 11.84 billion USD) to the country’s digital economy.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
A meeting of members of the parliament in Malaysia (File photo: AFP/VNA) 
