The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah arrived at the Parliament House at 10 am today to open the Third Session of the 14th Parliament.
His Majesty was welcomed by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof and Dewan Negara President Tan Sri SA Vigneswaran.
He was also greeted on arrival by the Dewan Rakyat Secretary Nizam Mydin Bacha Mydin.
The national anthem was then played by the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment before the King proceeded to the Royal Room.
Meanwhile, in the august hall, Nizam Mydin led the recital of prayers before Mohamad Ariff declared the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara sitting open.
Mohamad Ariff then proceeded to invite His Majesty to deliver the Royal Address.
Stringent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in compliance with the Conditional Movement Control Order were in place as precautionary measures, including the use of thermal scanners to monitor those entering via a single-entry at the main block, usage of hand sanitisers and disinfection prior to the meeting.
Meanwhile, media coverage was only limited to RTM and Bernama, with live broadcasts available to the public.
The one-day sitting was in line with Article 55 (1) of the Federal Constitution which stated that the parliamentary sitting must be held not more than six months from its last meeting.
This sitting was restricted to a day with only the Royal address.