The Dewan Rakyat is convening for the first time after the 15th general election.
MPs will be electing a new Dewan Rakyat speaker, followed by a confidence vote in Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
We are bringing to you the updates from time to time.
Motion of confidence passed on voice vote, Anwar stays as PM
6.12pm: Debates on the motion of confidence have concluded.
The motion is passed with a voice vote only. There is no call for a bloc vote.
Anwar stays as prime minister.
6pm: De facto Law Minister Azalina Othman Said in wrapping up the debate, agrees with the opposition that the vote of confidence is not mandatory.
However, she says it is not without precedent on the need to prove confidence in the legislature.
On the government agreement compelling MPs to vote in support of the prime minister or lose their seats, Azalina says it doesn't violate the Federal Constitution.
She says a coalition government has a right to determine how to work together.
Azalina also points out that the agreement includes a mechanism to settle disputes internally.
She had earlier sparred with Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) who asked about the agreement, but later interjected as she was trying to answer.
On police reports against the agreement, Azalina says police should be allowed to carry out investigations.
As for the GRS four MPs, she points out that no notice has been sent to the Dewan Rakyat speaker contesting their legitimacy.
Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) replies that a letter asking the speaker to vacate the seat of the four GRS MPs who left Bersatu, will be sent.
He says a letter had not been sent as a speaker had only been elected today.
‘PM’s agreement with govt party leaders not legally binding’
5.30pm: Dzulkefly Ahmad (Harapan-Kuala Selangor) says the memorandum of agreement signed between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and leaders of parties in government is not legally binding.
Contrary to claims that its terms are undemocratic, Dzulkefly says the document is one that states a general intention among parties in government to work together towards developing the nation.
He says the move to secure support from parties is also a shift from past practices where individual MPs are approached to sign statutory declarations (SDs), at times for a high price.
"In summary, we must move away from politics that relies on SDs as it had triggered chaos in the system," he adds.
Arau MP moots for PN to skip confidence vote
5.20pm: Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) moots for PN to skip the vote of confidence.
"Let them (the government) vote among themselves," he says.
He says the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has already appointed Anwar Ibrahim as prime minister and there was no longer any need to deliberate on the matter.
He even argues that the vote of confidence may be in defiance of the king's decision.
Miss being opposition? Harapan can switch places, PN rep quips
5.10pm: Wan Saiful Wan Jan (PN-Tasek Gelugor) urges Pakatan Harapan leaders to quit acting like the opposition.
However, if they miss being in the opposition bloc, Wan Saiful throws hints that PN could trade places with the Anwar Ibrahim administration soon.
“Enough with your ‘opposition behaviours’. But don’t worry. If you miss being the opposition, maybe we could trade places soon,” he says in jest.
Govt to diversify income sources
4.55pm: Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli aims in the next two years for the government to shift the nation's dependence on just a few revenue sources to a "combination" of various sources that is more solid, sustainable, and progressive.
He also wants Malaysia's economy to move beyond reliance on commodities and low-value manufacturing to a 21st century economy based on technology, added value, creativity, and innovation.
Rafizi pledges to build a better economy for workers to earn fair wages which would allow them more financial mobility.
Rafizi open to PN possibly joining ‘unity govt’ in future
4.48pm: Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli breaks the norm in which ministers don’t take part in debates. However, there are no rules preventing this.
Responding to PN’s continued objection to the label of “unity government”, Rafizi (Harapan-Pandan) says the opposition coalition is not in the government because Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang had rejected an offer to join in.
He says opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin is a better negotiator, and if the situation is right, he does not dismiss PN joining the government someday.
Pasir Mas rep: Check PN’s accounts, prove gambling funds claims
4.45pm: Fadhli Shaari (PN-Pasir Mas) dares the government to check the coalition’s account and prove allegations its election funding partly involved money received from gambling firms.
The PN Youth chief claims many now in government have stopped talking about eradicating corruption within its ranks and instead target PAS.
“By right, they now have the power to conduct a forensic audit (of PAS’ accounts)... 25 hours a day if need be. Use the funds from the uncollected salary (as prime minister),” he says.
Fadhli also reiterates that the present government, with PN in the opposition, is not a unity government in practice.
Stop fighting, focus on fixing economy - BN rep tells MPs
4.40pm: Johari Ghani (BN-Titiwangsa) urges his fellow parliamentarians to quit fighting and bickering on issues pertaining to the legitimacy of Anwar Ibrahim’s premiership and should instead focus on mending the economy.
Compared to its neighbouring countries, Johari says Malaysia has fallen far behind since 2018 due to political turmoil.
He expresses disbelief that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) did not expand from 2018 to 2021, which is at -0.1 percent, while Indonesia’s GDP recorded 11.8 percent, followed by Vietnam (24.2 percent), Thailand (9.7 percent) and Philippines (19.3 percent).
He stresses that political stability coupled with an experienced and competent government is the key ingredient to fixing the nation’s economy.
Ronald shows 'proof' GRS 4 were Bersatu candidates
4.25pm: Ronald Kiandee (PN-Beluran) reads out a letter sent by Sabah Bersatu to Muhyiddin Yassin before the general election, informing the party president that the party will field six candidates under the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah logo.
This, he says, is proof that the four GRS MPs in the government now are actually Bersatu candidates.
The GRS four previously claimed that they had quietly quit Bersatu before the election by joining GRS.
Ronald says the act was backdated and accused them of violating the anti-hopping law.
He says the vote of confidence should be delayed until the GRS four’s legitimacy as MPs are resolved first.
Takiyuddin claims PN offered cabinet posts to join govt
4.05pm: Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) claims PN was offered cabinet posts and to have their election spending reimbursed if they join the government - which the coalition rejected.
However, he does not elaborate on the allegations.
He says the confidence vote was unnecessary and academic as Anwar Ibrahim has already been sworn in as prime minister. The PAS deputy president compares it with a “cheerleading exercise”.
Takiyuddin says it would have made more sense to do a vote before a prime minister was appointed.
Do not abuse the space you are given, Guan Eng tells Hamzah
3.50pm: Lim Guan Eng (Harapan-Bagan) says the motion of confidence should have been a procedural affair without any need for debate.
However, he says the government’s commitment to upholding democracy sees its willingness to open the floor for debates, starting with opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin.
Returning Hamzah’s swipe at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Lim says, “do not abuse the space given to the opposition leader.”
“If we listen to the speech, he (Hamzah) cited allegations by a newspaper that we have never heard of before [...] this is a dastardly act,” says Lim.
Earlier attempts from Awang Hashim (PN-Pendang) to interject Lim’s speech over his use of the term “unity government” sees another shouting match with Sany Hamzan (Harapan-Hulu Langat), and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Johari Abdul eventually issues a stern warning to maintain decorum.
Bung Moktar Radin (BN-Kinabatangan) also seeks permission from Lim to interject, quipping they are now “friends”.
Another shouting match erupts, speaker issues warning
3.40pm: Sany Hamzan (Harapan-Hulu Langat) launches into another diatribe, calling Awang Solahudin (PN-Pendang) a monkey (beruk).
He claims that Awang had insulted him first.
Sany’s diatribe angers speaker Johari Abdul, who warns Sany and other MPs that he will not tolerate such hostilities in the house and will take action if they misbehave again.
Hamzah tells Anwar to be consistent in reforms now that he’s PM
3.30pm: Opposition leader Hamzah Zainuddin (PN-Larut) reminds Anwar Ibrahim (Harapan-Tambun) to be consistent with his reform and anti-corruption ideals now that the latter has been appointed prime minister.
The PN secretary-general also reminds Anwar to stick by Harapan’s election manifesto to ensure freedom of speech and the people’s right to speak.
Pertaining to claims that PN’s election funds came partly from gaming companies involved in special draws, Hamzah takes International Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz to task as he was the finance minister in the previous administration and he knows who holds gambling licences.
“Such statements are ill-intended and malicious. Zafrul was the finance minister at that time. He knows who holds gambling licences. Ask him. How are we supposed to know?
“You are the prime minister now, Tambun. No longer the opposition leader, I am the opposition leader. Don’t make reckless claims. No more fake news from you,” he says.
He also stresses that PN is ready to take over Putrajaya “when the time comes”.
Opposition leader goads PM to sue media over ‘homosexual’ label
3.25pm: Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin goads Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to sue a European news oulet, which had published an article on the premier’s appointment by calling the latter a “full-blown homosexual”.
Hamzah says this is a clear insult to Anwar and the latter must take legal action.
He says Anwar had previously been convicted “on the matter”, in reference to the premier's previous conviction for sodomy, but he had since been pardoned by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
House settles down, opposition leader to begin debate
3.18pm: Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) is heard saying “bodoh” (stupid), angering Sany Hamzan (Harapan-Hulu Langat) even further.
“Who is stupid?” Sany asks repeatedly.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul tries to keep the House under control, ordering Howard Lee (Harapan-Ipoh Timur) to sit down and not to disturb.
The commotion eventually dies down, and opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin is invited to be the first debator on the motion of confidence.
Shouting match precedes PM’s confidence vote
3.15pm: Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) raises a point of order, saying the Yang di-Pertuan Agong's name should not be used to justify the motion of confidence.
This later triggers a shouting match in Parliament, with Sany Hamzan (Harapan-Hulu Langat) angrily remarking that unlike former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin, Anwar is brave enough to face a vote of confidence.
Shahidan chides Sany - who is recovering from injuries - saying: “The sick person has gotten up.”
Sany angrily says that his health should not be made an issue.
DPM tables confidence motion on Anwar
3.10pm: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim tables a bill on the Consolidated Funds for the first reading. However, the details of the bill are not yet available to the media.
Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof is now tabling the motion of confidence on Anwar.
PM offers condolences over landslide, floods
3.05pm: Anwar extends the government’s condolonces to the families of those killed in the Batang Kali landslide and the ongoing floods in Terengganu.
He updates the Dewan Rakyat on the current status of victims, and thanks emergency responders for their hardwork.
He also thanks the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the queen for visitng the site of the Batang Kali tragedy.
The Batang Kali landslide on Friday has so far killed 24 people, with nine others missing.
Meanwhile, a two-year-old girl was killed after being swept away by flood waters in Terengganu yesterday.
Takiyuddin Hassan (PN-Kota Bharu) then asks why the government did not acknowledge three deaths allegedly linked to floods in Kelantan over the weekend.
Anwar replies that he takes note of the deaths, but says he will wait for the outcome of investigations first.
Anwar address Parliament on Batang Kali tragedy, floods
3pm: Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail tables the customary motion calling on police to ensure safe passage for MPs into Parliament.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reforms) Azalina Othman Said then tables a motion to postpone the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s address to the next Parliament session, scheduled next year.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim now addresses the Dewan Rakyat regarding the Batang Kali tragedy and Terengganu floods.
Dewan Rakyat elects Ramli, Lau as deputy speakers
2.55pm: Ramli Md Nor (BN-Cameron Highlands) and Alice Lau (Harapan-Lanang) are elected as deputy speakers
Ramli received 148 votes - a two-thirds majority, while Lau received 146 votes.
It is unclear who the two government MPs who did not vote for Lau are.
Opposition candidate Mas Ermieyati received 74 votes.
After the results were announced, Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) jokingly congratulates Umno and DAP.
He then sings the refrain from Harapan's Aduh Malaysia theme song which PN had co-opted after GE15.
PN nominates Mas Ermieyati, balloting to commence
2.35pm: PN nominates Mas Ermieyati Samsuddin (PN-Masjid Tanah) as deputy speaker.
As there are three candidates for the two deputy spots, an election by ballot will now be held.
Dewan Rakyat speaker Johari Abdul says parliamentarians are to vote for either one or two candidates and MPs who are nominated are allowed to cast a ballot for themselves.
House reconvenes, to elect deputy speakers first
2.30pm: The Dewan Rakyat is back in session.
The first order of business after lunch is the election of deputy speakers.
BN’s Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Md Nor and Pakatan Harapan’s Lanang MP Alice Lau are expected to be the government’s candidates.
It is unclear if PN has any candidates for deputy speaker.
There will be two other matters after that before the motion of confidence on Anwar Ibrahim is tabled.
Dewan Rakyat breaks for lunch after all MPs sworn in
1.10pm: All 222 MPs have taken their oath as lawmakers.
The Dewan Rakyat will now break for a joint lunch event and will reconvene at 2.30pm.
Morning session extended
12.55pm: The Dewan Rakyat has passed a quick motion to extend the morning session beyond 1pm - which is when the Lower House is scheduled to break for recess.
This is so the swearing-in of all MPs can be completed before the break.
As of the time of writing, there are about 20 opposition MPs who have yet to take their oath.
Deputy minister late due to feeling unwell - Fadillah
12.40pm: Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof explains that Deputy Economy Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib was late to attend Parliament as she was not feeling well earlier.
FMT cites Fadillah as saying this caused the GPS lawmaker to delay her journey to Parliament, resulting in her missing the speaker election.
House will debate motion of confidence before voting
12.30pm: There will be a debate on the motion of confidence for Anwar Ibrahim before MPs vote on the matter.
Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli (Harapan-Pandan) tweets that he will be among the debaters, and is expected to address the Lower House at around 3.30pm.
Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof (GPS-Petra Jaya) is expected to table the motion in the afternoon session.
Swearing-in of opposition MPs begins
12.20pm: Opposition representatives begin their turn in taking oaths as MPs.
Opposition leader Hamzah Zainudin (PN-Larut) is the first to be sworn in, followed by Muhyiddin Yassin (PN-Pagoh) and Abdul Hadi Awang (PN-Marang).
MPs’ traditional pieces turn heads
12.10pm: Three MPs stand out for wearing unique traditional headgear during the swearing-in ceremony.
Keningau MP Jeffrey Kitingan is seen with the traditional ‘sigar’ representing the Kadazan Dusun ethnic group. Often hand-woven from a special cloth, the different colours carry various meanings.
From Sarawak, DAP's Mas Gading MP Mordi Bimol sports the 'tanjak' - a fabric head wrap which is usually worn as part of a Malay man's traditional outfit.
Meanwhile, second-term Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor - the only Orang Asli representative in the Dewan Rakyat - also retains his image of wearing a traditional 'topi tempo' woven out of palm leaves.
Aside from the conventional black songkok, other head coverings for male MPs include the white turban.
Youth group protests removal of controversial TikTok videos
12.07pm: Ten members from Kami Anak Muda Independent (Kami) arrive at Parliament clad in black shirts bearing the group’s logo.
They seek to hand over a memorandum to Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, protesting against the recent removal of Tiktok videos that violated community guidelines.
Kami president Syafiq Aziz claims that removing these videos infringes on the youth’s freedom of speech.
Asked about the May 13 Tiktok videos which incited the blanket removal of videos violating community guidelines, Syafiq claims other videos that are not provocative, extremist or sensitive in nature have also been banned.
Communications and Digital Ministry staff Ahmad Firdaus Mohd received the group’s memorandum.
Sighted by Malaysiakini, it calls on the minister to uphold freedom of speech as long as it is ethical, to be fair when removing videos even if it involves Pakatan Harapan supporters, and to prevent “double standards” by allowing pro-government propaganda to dominate social media.
Kami appears to be an entity linked to Perikatan Nasional, and one of its members had spoken at a PN ceramah in October.
Backbenchers take their oath
11.40am: MPs from block D of the Dewan Rakyat are being sworn in now, with Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (Harapan-Bandar Tun Razak) the first in line, followed by former premier Ismail Sabri Yaakob (BN-Bera).
Block D consists of 61 MPs, all of whom are backbenchers.
After them, it will finally be the turn of opposition MPs to get sworn in.
Pro-Najib NGOs want probe against judge declassified
11.16am: An NGO coalition dubbed “Gabungan Gerakan Keadilan Untuk Dato Sri’ Najib” is seeking a review and the declassification of MACC’s investigation report against Court of Appeal judge Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali.
Reading their memorandum outside Parliament’s gates, the coalition’s spokesperson Lokman Noor Adam claims that Nazlan had a “conflict of interest” when presiding over Najib’s SRC international trial. He claims that Najib’s conviction was “planned”.
Lokman adds that MACC’s investigation found Nazlan liable to be charged under Section 220 Penal Code, pertaining to judges who “corruptly or maliciously commit any person for trial or to confinement”.
Upon conviction, the offence is punishable with up to seven years imprisonment, a fine, or both.
Several representatives have entered Parliament grounds to hand their memorandum to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said.
NGOs protest Najib’s jailing, wants to hand memo to minister
11.08am: A group of NGOs arrive near the Parliament gates protesting the imprisonment of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak.
More than 100 supporters are present but only 10 are allowed to approach Parliament’s gates, says former Umno supreme council member Lokman Noor Adam, who was among the crowd.
The supporters are seen holding up signs that read “Free Najib” and “Justice for Bossku”.
They seek to hand a memorandum to Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Azalina Othman Said.
Najib is serving 12 years in the Kajang prison after being convicted in the SRC International case. He also has to pay an RM210 million fine.
Deputy minister who missed speaker vote sworn in
11.05am: Deputy Economy Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib is now in Parliament and has been sworn in.
It is believed that she had arrived at the August House late and missed the vote on the Dewan Rakyat speaker.
Absent MP denies govt two-thirds in speaker vote
10.45am: The total number of MPs who voted during the speaker election is 221, one short of a full house.
Deputy Economy Minister Hanifah Hajar Taib (GPS-Mukah) appears to be the absent MP.
It is unclear why she was not in the Dewan Rakyat.
With Hanifah, the government would have 148 MPs on its side, a two-thirds majority.
MPs take their oath with Anwar in lead
10.40am: MPs are now being sworn in.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (Pakatan Harapan-Tambun) is the first to take the oath, to be followed by his two deputy prime ministers.
Johari urges MPs to prioritise national interests
10.35am: Johari Abdul pledges to use his experience as a former member of the diplomatic corps, businessperson, and MP to carry out his duties. He also vows to carry out his duties fairly.
Johari then calls on MPs to prioritise national interests instead of using Dewan Rakyat as a political battlefield.
He also thanks the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for the formation of the new government, and voters for carrying out their responsibilities during the 15th general election.
The speaker then leads the Dewan Rakyat in a moment of silent prayer for the victims of the Batang Kali landslide tragedy.
READ MORE: Anwar loyalist becomes Dewan Rakyat speaker
Ex-Sungai Petani MP Johari is new speaker
10.25am: Johari Abdul has been appointed as Dewan Rakyat speaker with 147 votes, one shy of a two-thirds majority.
The opposition candidate, Kangar MP Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad, received 74 votes.
After Johari (top picture) puts on the speaker's robes, Shahidan Kassim (Perikatan Nasional-Arau) quips: “Congratulations Umno.”
Small group demonstrating outside Parliament
10.15am: A small group of about 20 people are seen lining up the road a few hundred metres towards Parliament, raising several banners highlighting their demands for the government to address cost of living issues.
The group, dubbed Pertubuhan Gagasan Inovasi Rakyat Selangor (PGIR), is seen carrying a banner urging the government to approve a one-off withdrawal from EPF.
According to a statement by PGIR, among those who should qualify for the proposed EPF withdrawal are housewives and single mothers without a stable income, and former private sector employees who were laid off or quit and are finding it difficult to secure a permanent job.
Police personnel in uniforms are also on scene as the group awaits official vehicles belonging to MPs entering Parliament.
The group’s memorandum was received by former Hang Tuah Jaya MP Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
Ballot voting for speaker starts
10.07am: The election of the Dewan Rakyat speaker is underway.
The government has nominated former Sungai Petani MP Johari Abdul and the opposition has named Kangar MP Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.
It is being conducted by a ballot vote.
Agong not present, royal address slated next year
10.05am: As is normal practice for the first session of Parliament when the Dewan Rakyat convenes after a general election, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is not present for proceedings.
Instead, his proclamation for Parliament to convene is read out by the Dewan Rakyat secretary.
The king's first address to the new Parliament is typically on the second day. However as this is a brief session, Malaysiakini was informed that the royal address is only slated for next year.
Parliament is in session
10am: The bell has been rung. Parliament is in session.
Long queues
9.25am: It takes about 30 minutes for non-MPs to clear the queue just to get into the Parliament building, considerably longer than before.
Press personnel are still largely confined to a windowless room - often known as "the dungeon" - where they can follow debates through television.
Occasionally, MPs will hold press conferences in the media room.
Proceedings to start with speaker’s election
9am: As usual, today’s Dewan Rakyat session will begin at 10am.
MPs will first elect a new Dewan Rakyat speaker.
PKR’s Johari Abdul is slated to be the government’s candidate for the job while Perikatan Nasional will nominate former Kangar MP Mohd Radzi Sheikh Ahmad.
Once a new speaker is elected, MPs will then be sworn in, after which they will elect the deputy speakers.
BN’s Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Md Nor and Pakatan Harapan’s Lanang MP Alice Lau are expected to be the government’s candidates.
Following this, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail will table the symbolic motion for police to ensure that MPs are not obstructed from entering Parliament.
After that, the government will table for the first reading a bill on the Consolidated Fund - likely to be part of the “mini-budget”.
The first reading will have no debates and is a procedural matter.
This will be followed by the biggest event of today’s session - the vote of confidence on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to be tabled by Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof.
It is likely that the Consolidated Fund bill and other budget bills to keep Putrajaya in operation will be debated tomorrow. - Mkini
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