The thirteenth King of Malaysia Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin (R) has his ceremonial medals adjusted by Queen Nur Zahirah (L), as Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (C) looks on from behind during his welcoming ceremony at the Parliament in Kuala Lumpur, 13 December 2006. Malaysia's unique revolving monarchy was passed on 13 December to the youthful sultan of oil-rich Terengganu state, a keen rider who has represented his country at international events. Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, at 44, is Malaysia's second-youngest king ever, and is to serve a five-year term in the capital Kuala Lumpur after he was sworn in at a solemn ceremony at the king's palace. AFP PHOTO/TENGKU BAHAR



Special Parliamentary Session to Approve Budget for Next Year

Despite the dispute between the two major parties over revising the private school law, the special five-day parliamentary session aimed at passing a national budget bill for next year seems to be resumed. The National Assembly has been suspended by refusal of the major opposition party, GNP.

The GNP has strongly opposed the private school bill, which calls for expanding the presence of individuals outside a private school's board of directors in its management. However, the party said that the GNP would not delay passing the budget bill for fiscal 2007.

According to the private school bill that was outlined by the ruling Uri Party, the school law requires private schools to choose, by ballot, one-fourth of their boards of directors from school faculty members and parents.

Concerning the resumption of the special parliamentary session, a high-ranking source from the GNP said that the party will decide further schedules after noting the results that come from its committee on education.

Despite the fact that the GNP temporarily decided to resume the session for budget bills, it seems unlikely that the Assembly session will continue as scheduled because of big controversies over the private school bill. Floor leaders from the two major parties, Uri and GNP, had an informal meeting to negotiate it, but they failed to reach an agreement.
/ 입력시간: 2006. 12.13. 15:41