PETALING JAYA: The first meeting of the fourth session of the 15th Parliament begins Monday, with the royal address by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim at the opening ceremony taking centre stage.
His Majesty is scheduled to deliver the address to officiate both the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara.
The speech is expected to cover key national issues, including Malaysia’s development agenda and its role as Asean Chair in 2025.
Before the address in the Dewan Rakyat, the King will proceed to Parliament Square to receive a royal salute from the main guard of honour, comprising the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment from Sungai Besi Camp.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, along with Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, cabinet ministers, and foreign dignitaries, are also expected to attend the ceremony, reported Astro Awani
According to the official Parliament website, in addition to the motion of thanks and debate on the royal address, the 18-day Dewan Rakyat session will see Members of Parliament engaging in the debate for seven days starting Feb 4.
This will be followed by ministerial responses from Feb 18 to 25.
The schedule also indicates that the tabling of bills and other government matters will take place in the final six days of the session, beginning Feb 26. Meanwhile, the Dewan Negara session is set to run for 13 days from March 3.
Among the key legislative matters to be presented for a second reading in this Dewan Rakyat session are the Federal Territories Mufti Bill 2024, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Malaysian Media Council Bill 2024, and the Bernama (Amendment) Bill 2024.
Additionally, a White Paper on the ageing nation agenda will be tabled, outlining medium- and long-term socio-economic development plans as Malaysia moves towards ageing nation status by 2030 and a super-aged society by 2044.
