MA63, SOCIAL MEDIA AGE LIMIT AMONG KEY TOPICS ON SECOND WEEK OF BUDGET 2026 DEBATE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- Issues related to the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) and the increase in the Special Federal Grant to Sabah, as well as the proposal to limit the minimum age for social media use to 16 years old were among the key topics raised during the second week of the Supply Bill (Budget) 2026 session in the Dewan Rakyat.

About 40 more lawmakers completed their debates on the bill, which touched on various development issues, the government’s efforts to strengthen governance, as well as social concerns related to the minimum age limit for social media use, which has become increasingly worrying.

The Dewan Rakyat did not convene on Monday and Tuesday due to the Deepavali celebration, but the debate session resumed on Wednesday.

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Datuk Siti Aminah Aching (BN-Beaufort) said Sabahans appreciate the increase in the special grant to RM600 million and the allocation of RM6.9 billion under Budget 2026, but its implementation must be transparent and consistent with the spirit of MA63.

Datuk Lo Su Fui (GRS-Tawau), meanwhile, raised the triple issue plaguing Sabah - roads, electricity supply and water - that need to be resolved comprehensively for the well-being of the rural people.

At the same time, several lawmakers supported the government’s proposal to limit the minimum age for social media use to 16 to curb the negative effects of technology on the mental and social development of teenagers.

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Datuk Larry Sng Wei Shien (PBM-Julau) wanted its implementation to be expedited; Young Syefura Othman (PH-Bentong) emphasised the need for age verification mechanisms and platform accountability; while Suhaizan Kaiat (PH-Pulai) and Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari (PH-Sungai Petani) wanted content control to be improved.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh), meanwhile, suggested that a comprehensive character education plan be formulated in line with the National Education Philosophy to shape students with moral values ​​and resilience against the influence of social media and artificial intelligence (AI).

During a special briefing on Wednesday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced that the MADANI Government had made progress in resolving many MA63-related issues for Sabah, with 13 demands settled through the Technical Committee under the MA63 Implementation Action Council chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof.

Among the agreed demands are the handover of electricity regulatory powers and Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd (SESB) to the Sabah government, with the Federal government continuing to provide RM1.2 billion to guarantee the continuity of power supply in the state.

Anwar also said that the Special Federal Grant to Sabah was increased to RM600 million in 2025, the highest rate thus far, and was fully paid on Sept 10; and that the increase was interim while the permanent calculation method was finalised in accordance with Article 112D of the Federal Constitution.

He added that the Federal expenditure for Sabh is expected to reach RM17 billion in 2025 and 2026, while the development allocation under Budget 2026 is almost RM7 billion, including Phase 1B of the Pan Borneo Highway project and the Sabah Heart Centre in Kota Kinabalu.

The government also respects the decision of the Kota Kinabalu High Court on the review of the special grant and would study the reasons for the judgement before taking further action.

Meanwhile, despite preparations for next week’s 47th ASEAN Summit, the Prime Minister attended the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday to answer questions during the Minister’s Question Time (MQT) session, regarding the summit’s organisation and government measures to strengthen school safety through cooperation from various parties.

During Thursday's debate session, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul also announced that the MQT session on Tuesday (Oct 28) will be answered by the relevant ministers since the Prime Minister will be chairing the 47th ASEAN Summit on that day. 

Johari also reminded the Members of Parliament to plan their travel to the Parliament building to avoid any inconvenience due to traffic restrictions implemented during the summit.

-- BERNAMA