Budget 2027 debate: Muhyiddin calls for urban poverty master plan, MP allocation law proposed

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin urged the government to create a five-year master plan to tackle urban poverty through an integrated approach involving various ministries.

Khoo Poay Tiong suggested a Parliamentary Constituency Development Allocation Act to ensure fair allocation of funds to MPs, regardless of political affiliation.

P. Prabakaran supported offering permanent positions to contract doctors but highlighted the need for better career paths, sufficient training, and improved healthcare services.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Issues concerning urban poverty, the allocation of funds for Members of Parliament (MPs), and efforts to strengthen the nation’s healthcare sector were among the topics raised during the policy-level debate on the Supply (Budget) Bill 2027 in the Dewan Rakyat today.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) proposed that the government establish a dedicated master plan to address poverty in urban and semi-urban areas over a five-year period, utilising an integrated approach that involves various ministries.

The former prime minister said the plan should focus on housing, healthcare, employment, education, skills training, and social assistance to ensure that low-income groups also benefit from the nation’s economic development.

“A specific plan must be formulated to ensure that the urban poor gain access to economic and educational opportunities, enabling them to improve their own lives and those of their families through the spillover effects of urban development,” he said.

He added that development planning in major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor Bahru must incorporate poverty eradication efforts, particularly by providing economic and educational opportunities for low-income populations.

Meanwhile, Khoo Poay Tiong (PH-Kota Melaka) proposed the enactment of a Parliamentary Constituency Development Allocation Act to ensure that all Members of Parliament, regardless of their political affiliation, receive allocations on an equitable basis.

He said the drafting of the act could be carried out by the Parliamentary Service Council, following the enforcement of the Parliamentary Service Act 2025.

“This is for the benefit of all citizens. I hope that Parliament (the Parliamentary Service Council) can initiate the process of drafting the act,” he said.

Meanwhile, P. Prabakaran (PH-Batu) expressed support for the government’s move to offer permanent positions to over 9,000 contract doctors next year.

However, he emphasised that the government must ensure clearer career paths and sufficient training opportunities, while also addressing the welfare of all healthcare workers specifically regarding their workload and work-life balance.

“At the same time, the public continues to face challenges in obtaining treatment at government health clinics and hospitals, including long waiting times, overcrowding, and difficulties in accessing specialist care.

“Therefore, I suggest that the government assess the need to increase the number of doctors, nurses, and healthcare personnel, based on the local population size and patient load at each healthcare facility,” he said.

Prabakaran added that the government should also focus on hospital bed capacity, the maintenance of medical equipment, and the upgrading of existing facilities, in addition to strengthening primary healthcare services and early disease screening. — Bernama

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丹斯里慕尤丁敦促政府制定一项为期五年的总体规划，通过涉及各个部门的综合方法来解决城市贫困问题。

邱培忠建议制定《国会选区发展拨款法》，以确保无论政治派别如何，都能公平地向国会议员分配资金。

P. Prabakaran 支持为合同医生提供永久职位，但强调需要更好的职业发展道路、充足的培训和改进的医疗保健服务。

吉隆坡，10 月 20 日讯——今天在下议院就 2027 年供应（预算）法案进行政策层面辩论时，提出了城市贫困问题、国会议员资金分配以及加强国家医疗保健部门的努力等议题。

丹斯里慕尤丁·亚辛（国盟-巴莪）提议政府制定一项专门的总体规划，在五年内解决城市和半城市地区的贫困问题，并采用涉及各个部门的综合方法。

这位前总理表示，该计划应重点关注住房、医疗保健、就业、教育、技能培训和社会援助，以确保低收入群体也能从国家的经济发展中受益。

他说：“必须制定具体计划，确保城市贫困人口获得经济和教育机会，使他们能够通过城市发展的溢出效应改善自身及其家人的生活。”

他还补充说，吉隆坡、槟城和新山等主要城市的发展规划必须纳入消除贫困的措施，特别是通过为低收入人群提供经济和教育机会。

与此同时，邱培忠（希望联盟-哥打马六甲）提议制定《国会选区发展拨款法》，以确保所有国会议员，无论其政治派别如何，都能公平地获得拨款。

他表示，在《2025 年议会服务法》生效后，议会服务委员会可以着手起草该法案。

“这有利于所有公民。我希望议会（议会服务委员会）能够启动法案的起草程序，”他说。

与此同时，P. Prabakaran（希望联盟-峇都）表示支持政府明年向超过9000名合同医生提供永久职位的举措。

然而，他强调政府必须确保更清晰的职业发展路径和充足的培训机会，同时还要关注所有医护人员的福利，特别是他们的工作量和工作与生活平衡问题。

“与此同时，公众在政府诊所和医院获得治疗方面仍然面临诸多挑战，包括等待时间过长、人满为患以及难以获得专科护理等问题。

“因此，我建议政府根据当地人口规模和各医疗机构的患者数量，评估是否需要增加医生、护士和医护人员的数量，”他说。

普拉巴卡兰补充说，政府除了加强基层医疗服务和疾病早期筛查外，还应重点关注医院床位容量、医疗设备维护和现有设施升级。——马新社

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