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News Wrap-up: MP's who missed swearing-in may be disqualified, PTPTN loan deferment comes under fire

Jul 19, 2018

Absent MP's Could Be Disqualified

MPs who were absent during the oath-taking ceremony at the Dewan Rakyat on Monday, may be disqualified. 

Image Source: The Sun

De facto Law Minister Datuk Liew Vui Keong said absent MPs have six months to take their oath. 

He adds Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin had already sent in a notice explaining he's on medical leave for a month, after undergoing surgery. 

However, no reasons were given by Sipitang MP Yamani Hafez Musa, who is the son of former Sabah chief Minister Tan Sri Musa Aman.

Pakatan Slammed For Empty Seats In Parliament

Meanwhile, BN lawmakers went on social media to take jibes at the Pakatan government for their empty seats at the Dewan Rakyat yesterday. 

Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said Pakatan used to ask why BN MPs were always missing from Parliament, and now Pakatan MPs are doing the same. 

Image Source: Ahmad Maslan Twitter

Opposition MP Khairy Jamaluddin said the government's Wednesday cabinet meeting may be the cause for the low turnout. 

As such he suggested the government move the cabinet meeting to Fridays, to respect parliament proceedings. 

PTPTN Loan Deferment Under Fire

Separately, Khairy has slammed Pakatan Harapan's promise to defer PTPTN loan repayments for borrowers earning less than RM 4,000 a month. 

The Rembau MP says the Education Ministry is still studying how to implement this, despite the 100-day deadline closing in. 

In response to Khairy's question in parliament, Minister Dr Mazlee Malik said the back-end process to defer PTPTN repayments is already halfway done. 

Meanwhile, PTPTN's chairman has denied allegations Pakatan didn't think it through when they promised the loan deferment. 

Wan Saiful Wan Jan, who's also a PPBM member, said Pakatan had to plan the best they could with the little financial information the previous administration provided them with. 

Early Car Bookings May Still Be Subject To SST

Vehicle sales nationwide went up after the zero-rating of the GST, as Malaysians took advantage of the tax holiday. 

Image Source: The Star

But the Malaysian Automotive Association told The Star, an early booking doesn't mean consumers will escape SST. 

If you receive and register your car after the SST comes into force on 1st September, you'll still have to pay the tax.

Some car dealers have chosen to absorb the tax for cars booked before 1st September, but it's unclear how many dealers will follow suit.