Tight security on Parliament grounds as lawmakers begin arriving

KUALA LUMPUR: Security along the road leading to Parliament House was tight as lawmakers began arriving to attend the historic opening of the Dewan Rakyat under the newly-minted Perikatan Nasional government Monday (May 18).

Part of Jalan Parlimen was cordoned off with police personnel reminding media personnel to stay clear of the road as well as keep their distance from one another, according to the latest Covid-19 preventative measures.

Several ministers and prominent MPs such as Sungai Petani MP Datuk Johari Abdul were seen arriving as early as 9am.

Johari, who is PKR chief whip, vaguely waved when asked if Monday's proceedings would be smooth.

Asked if he was satisfied with the unprecedented one-day sitting, Johari merely said “no” before being driven into Parliament.

Meanwhile, former premier and Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad arrived at 9.25am, followed by former premier and former Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Najib Razak at 9.30am.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah is scheduled to deliver the royal address when opening the first meeting of Parliament.

Al-Sultan Abdullah arrived at Parliament at 9.55am.

The second meeting of Parliament will begin on July 13.