Today, 26th February, the newly elected King of Malaysia, Sultan Ibrahim ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar of Johor, opened the first meeting of the third session of the 15th Parliament of Malaysia. The grand occasion included several ceremonies, like the arrival of His Majesty, the inspection of the Guard of Honour and finally the reading of the Royal address to the sitting Parliament.
The King has already indicated a stern approach to the political class and for sure there were more than just one parliamentarian today that felt the eyes of His Majesty resting upon them as he looked around the chamber from his throne.
Great effort had been put into the preparations for the day. On the square in front of the Parliament building, seating for the onlookers had been arranged under pergolas protecting them from the sun. Just in front of the 17-story tall tower a temporary dais had been erected covered by a baldachin of draped fabric in a bright yellow colour, the colour of Royalty. A group of chairs had been arranged under the baldachin, and the largest two of them was brought in front of all the others. These were the Royal chairs and were upholstered in an exquisite golden fabric. A red carpet had been laid to mark the route of His Majesty.
At the given time the Guard of Honour made up by troops from the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment marched onto the square preceded by the Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment. They took their positions in front of the Royal baldachin.
Special protocol is granted the Deputy Prime Minister and the Prime Minister of Malaysia and so when the first Deputy Prime Minister arrived he was welcomed by the Speaker of the Parliament, the Yang Berhormat Tuan Yang di-Pertua, Johari Abdul. Like all the parliamentarians Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof was dressed in ceremonial uniform composed of a white tunic and black trousers. With this he wore the Sash and Breast Star of the Order of Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (Grand Knight, 2013), the Collar and Breast Star of the Order of the Star of Sarawak (Knight Commander, 2022) and the Breast Star of the Exalted Order of Malacca (Grand Commander, 2014). After having been greeted by the Speaker Mr Yusof walked up to the dais where he stood for a brief moment while the Guard of Honour gave a salute and the band played a short fanfare.
Next to arrive was the second Deputy Prime Minister, Ahmad Zahid bin Hamidi. He too was received by the Speaker who could be seen dressed in his heavy ceremonial robes with the Sash and Breast Star of the Order of Loyalty to the Crown of Malaysia (Commander, 2023). Ahmad Zahid wore the Collar and Breast Star of the Perak Family Order of Sultan Nazrin Shah (Ordinary Class, 2015), the Sash and Breast Star of the Order of the Perak State Crown (Knight Grand Commander, 2008). The Deputy Prime Minister also wore a third Breast Star but this one was hidden behind the Sash of his Perak Order so it has not been possible to identify which one this was out of his collection of honours. Like his colleague before him he approached the dais and the Guard of Honour saluted him and a short fanfare was played as well.
Not long after the Prime Minister arrived. Again the Speaker was the one to receive the chief executive of the Malaysian Government. Not having received any Johor honours as of yet the Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim was seen wearing the Collar and Breast Star of the Order of Cura Si Manja Kini (Knight Grand Commander, 1995). This is one of the Perak honours, the Sultan of Perak being the current Deputy King of Malaysia. The Prime Minister also wore the Sash of the Order of the Defender of the State (Grand Knight Commander, 1994), which is the highest Order of Penang, Penang being the Prime Minister’s birthplace. He was also seen wearing the Breast Star of the Order of Loyalty to Negeri Sembilan (Knight Grand Commander, 1994) and the Breast Star of the Order of Sultan Ahmad Shah of Pahang (Grand Knight, 1990). The Sultan of Pahang was of course the King of Malaysia for the last five years. His wife, Mrs Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, herself a former Deputy Prime Minister, accompanied him.
Just before ten o’clock the motorcade of His Majesty could be spotted approaching the Parliament building. In front of the Royal car drove a detachment of Royal guards in their red uniforms and another detachment drove immediately behind the Royal car. As the motorcade arrived at the entrance a fanfare of trumpets could be heard. The car stopped and both doors were opened. His Majesty appeared and was immediately greeted by the Prime Minister. Out of the door on the other side came the Queen. Her Majesty was greeted by the Prime Minister’s wife. Now followed a quick succession of greetings with the Speakers and Parliament officials welcoming the Royal Couple.
Being used to seeing His Majesty in the black uniform of the Johor Military Forces the King now looked splendid in the white tunic uniform of a Field Marshal in the Malaysian Army. At the last opening ceremony of the Parliament the then King wore the distinctive ceremonial garment called the Muskat, also referred to as the King’s Royal Dress. Probably because the current King still has not had the installation ceremony he wore the military uniform for today’s event. Instead of the traditional Royal headdress called the Tengkolok Diraja the King was seen wearing the green beret of the special forces of the Malaysian Army, the Gerak Khas. Across his white tunic the King donned the Sash and Breast Star of the Royal Family Order of Johor and also the Collar of the Order of the Crown of Johor.
After having greeted the welcoming committee the King and the Queen ascended the dais. Standing in front of the Royal chairs His Majesty faced the Guard of Honour on the square with the Queen standing to his left. Her Majesty looked very elegant in a beige laced gown donning the yellow Sash of the Royal Family Order of Johor. In addition she wore the Collar and Breast Star of the Order of Sultan Ibrahim of Johor. She had chosen to wear her beautiful Diamond tiara and a Diamond brooch for the solemn occasion.
The Malaysian National Anthem was played while the 41st Ceremonial battery of the Royal Artillery Regiment’s Royal 21-gun salute could be heard and everybody stood to attention. His Majesty was then invited to inspect the Guard of Honour which he did with two of his aides-de-camp in splendid uniforms and Orders walking in front of him. As soon as the King returned to his place under the baldachin the Malaysian National Anthem was played once more.
For this ceremony the chairs were only used as symbols since as soon as the National Anthem had been played for the second time the ceremony outside was over. Now the Lord Chamberlain of the Royal Household led the procession into the Parliament building. Flanking the King and Queen were their aides-de-camp while a large yellow parasol – a symbol of Royalty – was carried above their heads by a Palace aid. Joining the procession were the Prime Minister and his deputies, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Speaker of the Senate among others.
While the elected representatives including the Prime Minister and his deputies gathered in the chamber the Speakers and their deputies waited together with the King and Queen in an antechamber. A final call for the representatives to find their seats was made by ringing a bell somewhat persistently. Once all were seated the Speakers’ procession entered. It was headed by two officials carrying the Royal maces. The secretaries of both chambers walked in next followed by the two Deputy speakers of the House of Representatives. They were followed by the Speakers of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. They found their seats and after having bowed sat down. The Speaker of the House of Representatives then read a short message before the Speakers’ procession left the chamber to accompany the King and Queen who were still waiting in the antechamber.
After having rejoined Their Majesties the procession once more made its way to the plenary chamber now followed by the King and Queen and their retinue. The entrance of the Royal Couple was announced to the representatives and they all rose. When Their Majesties had reached their thrones everybody sat down and the session could begin.
His Majesty was handed a bright yellow folder by the Prime Minister containing the written Royal address. As soon as the Prime Minister had returned to his seat and made a bow to the King, His Majesty began to read the address. In it the King urged the Members of Parliament to perform their duties ethically throughout his reign. In a bid to not offend any of the representatives the King had taken a more “measured” tone than previous statements but he made it clear that this did not by any means mean that he would not be vigilant towards the conduct of the Parliament. His Majesty’s address also put an emphasis on the country’s unity and stability. The King made a clear point that as lawmakers the Members of Parliament should lead by example and follow the laws they themselves make.
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