KUALA LUMPUR: His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia, today officiated the Opening Ceremony of the First Meeting of the Fifth Term of the 15th Parliament at the Parliament Building, marking an important moment in the country’s legislative calendar.
The Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to His Majesty for granting permission to officiate the ceremony, describing it as a meaningful start to the new parliamentary year. The opening took place in a formal and orderly atmosphere, reflecting the long-standing traditions of Malaysia’s parliamentary democracy.
In the Royal Address, His Majesty congratulated the Government on Malaysia’s successful role as ASEAN Chairman last year. This included the successful organisation of the 47th ASEAN Summit held in Kuala Lumpur, which strengthened Malaysia’s position and credibility at the regional level. His Majesty also acknowledged the country’s positive economic performance, noting that Malaysia recorded a GDP growth of 5.7 percent, an encouraging sign amid global economic uncertainties.
At the same time, His Majesty stressed that economic progress must go hand in hand with strong integrity. He called for comprehensive and firm action to combat corruption and abuse of power. According to His Majesty, enforcement must be clear and consistent, and the warning that bribery will be hunted should serve as a serious reminder to all parties. Members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara were urged to lead by example, as they stand on the front line in the fight against corruption.
His Majesty also highlighted emerging challenges in the digital space. With internet access becoming more widespread, the King emphasised the need to address online harms, including the misuse of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. The Government was urged to take proactive steps to ensure a safer and more responsible digital environment for the public.
The first parliamentary sitting of the year will begin with a debate on the Motion to Appreciate the Royal Address. This will be followed by the Prime Minister’s Question and Answer session scheduled for tomorrow, which is expected to draw strong attention from both Members of Parliament and the public.
In his New Year address, the Prime Minister announced that the MADANI Government plans to table four important Bills this year. These include the Ombudsman Bill, the Freedom of Information Bill, a Bill to separate the roles of the Public Prosecutor and the Attorney General, and a Constitutional Amendment Bill to limit the Prime Minister’s term to two terms or a maximum of 10 years.
The opening of Parliament sets the tone for the year ahead, with a clear focus on good governance, accountability, and reforms aimed at strengthening Malaysia’s democratic institutions.
