Kuala Lumpur:The need to ensure fairer competition in e-commerce for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), resolve pension adjustment issues affecting Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) veterans, and curb public spending leakages were key topics during the policy-stage debate on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Members of Parliament also called for faster institutional reforms, needs-based assistance for padi farmers, and increased support for the poor and the plantation industry.

Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (MUDA-Muar) highlighted the challenges faced by local MSMEs due to uneven competition from foreign manufacturers and increased fees from local e-commerce platforms. He proposed local registration requirements for foreign sellers and the introduction of an E-Commerce Bill to regulate fee increases.

Datuk Khlir Mohd Nor (PN-Ketereh) emphasized the urgency of resolving the pension adjustment issue for MAF veterans who retired before January 1, 2013. He noted that the number of veterans in this group is decreasing and they have been waiting nearly 13 years for this adjustment.

In terms of institutional reform, Cha Kee Chin (PH-Rasah) urged the reintroduction of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill to limit the Prime Minister's tenure to 10 years. Mohd Syahir Che Sulaiman (PN-Bachok) and Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (PH-Port Dickson) stressed the need for prudent public spending management and ensuring the timely implementation of development projects.

For the agriculture sector, Datuk Ahmad Saad @ Yahaya (PN-Pokok Sena) called for the expedited distribution of Baja Padi 3 to prevent crop losses for over 38,000 padi farmers. Lim Lip Eng (PH-Kepong) advocated for broader needs-based educational assistance and economic opportunities for poor families from minority communities.

Bakri Jamaluddin (PN-Tangga Batu) requested more support for the plantation industry, particularly in oil palm replanting and addressing labour shortages. He noted that while levy collections exceeded RM3.6 billion in 2024 and 2025, the funds were used for cooking oil subsidies instead of being returned to the industry.