KUALA LUMPUR: Calling on Members of Parliament to unite and avoid excessive politicking, the King has urged the government and the Opposition to maintain and preserve the political understanding inked last September.

       The Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s advice to the MPs, which was in the best interest of the nation and its rakyat, came just as His Majesty was about to end the hour-long royal address when opening the First Meeting of the Fifth Session of the 14th Parliament.

       “I feel that my address would not be complete if I do not end it with advice to the MPs by way of a pantun dua kerat (couplet poem), which is a tradition I have set last year,” said Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

       “Enough of politicking day and night.

       “Focus on taking care of the interest of the rakyat,” said the King amidst thumps of approval from the audience.

       Earlier when addressing the lawmakers, His Majesty called on the government and Opposition to maintain and preserve the political understanding inked in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last September.

       His Majesty said he was pleased and grateful for the political stability following the signing of the MOU, adding that it resulted in a more stable political climate for the country.

       Such stability, said His Majesty, had ensured the success of the country’s development agenda which benefited the rakyat and the nation’s future.

       “As a result of this agreement and maturity, amendments to the Federal Constitution related to the 1963 Malaysia Agreement were successfully approved by more than two-thirds of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara last December.

       “Indeed, the event will definitely be ranked as a historic moment for Keluarga Malaysia,” said His Majesty, noting that such political maturity had been eagerly awaited by all Malaysians.

       The King also reminded the MPs that transparency and integrity were crucial towards nation-building and that the government had put in place a blueprint to combat corruption.

       “We believe the government is currently implementing policies and initiatives under the National Anti-Corruption Plan through enforcement, prevention and education to combat all forms of corruption,” said His Majesty.

       To ensure greater transparency, efficiency and professionalism, the government had been improving its service delivery system through digital government initiatives via end-to-end service delivery, added the King.

       Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, accompanied by Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Azhar Azizan Harun and Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Rais Yatim, had welcomed and escorted the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to Dewan Rakyat.