HIS Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, issued a stern warning on corruption and governance during the opening of the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 15th Parliament on Monday, urging authorities to pursue justice without fear or favour.
In his royal address, the monarch stressed that anti-corruption efforts must not consider rank or position, reminding lawmakers, government officials, and civil servants engaged in corrupt activities that they would be deemed “traitors to the nation.”
“I have said before that I came to Kuala Lumpur to hunt down corrupt officials, and it seems I have found them. This is just the tip of the iceberg, including some within this chamber, who will continue to be pursued until justice is served,” Sultan Ibrahim declared at the Parliament House.
The King emphasised that anti-corruption measures should target all parties involved, including both givers and recipients of bribes, urging the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to act swiftly, fairly, and independently.
Sultan Ibrahim further cautioned against exploiting religious, racial, or royalty sensitivities, collectively known as the “3Rs,” for political gain. He highlighted the importance of upholding the Malay language and the constitutional foundations of Malaysia under the 1963 Malaysia Agreement (MA63).
The monarch also raised concerns about digital security threats such as deep-fake technology and called for strengthened democratic institutions, including limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure to two terms.
Responding to the address, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul reminded MPs to maintain decorum and follow proper procedures when using parliamentary media facilities. He urged lawmakers to focus on national priorities such as the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) and outlined reforms to expand question sessions and allow greater public access to the Special Chamber.
So far, 41 MPs have contributed to debates on the Royal Address, which commenced on Tuesday. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, also Finance Minister, addressed key issues during Question Time, including Malaysia’s measured stance on the proposed Gaza Peace Committee amid ongoing Israeli attacks and unsecured humanitarian aid.
Anwar stated that the Cabinet would discuss the matter, and Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan had been tasked with obtaining the committee’s full membership list. He added that Malaysia is consulting world leaders for their perspectives.
On trade, Anwar noted that the Malaysia-United States Reciprocal Trade Agreement (ART), signed on October 26, 2025, is pending implementation as negotiations continue, with the government seeking written assurances to protect domestic policy, subsidies, and strategic interests.
Highlighting foreign policy, the Prime Minister reaffirmed Malaysia’s firm stance on Venezuela, stressed the importance of sovereignty with regard to Greenland, and underscored prudent diplomatic engagement with Iran.
Economically, Anwar announced that the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is expected to report a record RM3 trillion in trade for 2025, reflecting resilience despite global geopolitical uncertainty.
The current Dewan Rakyat session will run for 20 days until March 3, while the Dewan Negara session is scheduled to begin on February 23. - January 23, 2026
