PARLIAMENT resumes today with the opening of the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament, marked by the Royal Address from His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, which is expected to set out the government’s legislative and policy priorities for the year ahead.
Before delivering the address, His Majesty is scheduled to conduct a Royal Guard of Honour inspection at Parliament Square.
The opening ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof, along with cabinet ministers, senior members of the judiciary, top civil servants and foreign diplomats.
The 20-day parliamentary session begins with the Dewan Rakyat taking up the Motion of Thanks on the Royal Address.
This will be followed by seven days of debate starting tomorrow, with ministers scheduled to wind up the discussions from Feb 4 to 10.
From Feb 11 until March 3, the government is expected to table key legislation aimed at strengthening governance and accountability.
Among the measures anticipated are a Bill to separate the roles of the attorney general and the public prosecutor, a move intended to reinforce the independence of prosecutorial decisions.
Another proposed law seeks to limit the prime minister’s tenure to two terms, a reform aimed at strengthening democratic governance and preventing prolonged concentration of power.
he session is also expected to see the tabling of an Ombudsman Bill and legislation related to a freedom of information law.
The Ombudsman Bill would pave the way for the establishment of an independent body to investigate complaints against government agencies and officials, while the freedom of information law would allow the public to request access to official documents, including tenders and contracts, as a safeguard against abuse of power.
Seputeh MP Teresa Kok said the session was likely to be lively, with pressure on the government to deliver on its election pledges. “It is important that after we are in power for almost three years we get it done,” she told the New Straits Times.
Political attention is also focused on potential changes within the opposition, with speculation surrounding the leadership position following Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s decision to step down as Perikatan Nasional chairman.
The post of opposition leader could become vacant or contested, while a new backbenchers’ chairman has yet to be appointed.
The session also takes place against the backdrop of the death of Sabah Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin last month, which has left the Kinabatangan parliamentary seat vacant.
Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) M. Kulasegaran described Bung Moktar as a forthright figure in Parliament.
“Whether it was government polices or otherwise, he was outspoken,” he said. “As a friend, Bung Moktar was a hell of a gentleman.” - January 19, 2026
