Malaysian King opens Parliament with address focusing on development, term limit
KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 20 — His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, opened the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament on Monday with a Royal Address expected to cover national development, public welfare, and economic matters as the 13th Malaysia Plan commences.
The King delivered the address to open both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara, with the ceremony broadcast live from 10 am via official media, television, and online platforms.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, his deputies, the cabinet, and foreign delegation heads attended the opening, which included a Royal Guard of Honour inspection at Parliament Square.
The 20-day Dewan Rakyat session includes a Motion of Thanks on the Royal Address, with debate running for seven days starting January 20.
Ministers will wind up the debate in the third week from February 4 to 10, with bills and government business scheduled for the final six days starting February 23.
Key legislation expected includes a bill to limit the Prime Minister's term to 10 years and a bill separating the powers of the Public Prosecutor and Attorney General.
"Anwar announced these as part of institutional reforms for this parliamentary year," the Bernama news agency reported.
Other bills include the Ombudsman Bill 2025 and the Freedom of Information Bill, along with second readings of two previously postponed bills.
The Dewan Negara session will run for 13 days starting February 23, with Parliament adjourning for Federal Territories Day, Thaipusam, Chinese New Year, and early Ramadan.
The session represents the first parliamentary meeting under King Sultan Ibrahim since his ascension to the throne earlier this year.