PETALING JAYA: Unlike previous chaotic and heated meetings, the expectation is that it will be a “mellowed and mature” meeting of the Dewan Rakyat, which opens tomorrow.

       The meeting comes just as the dust is settling after the tumultuous changes to the nation’s political landscape late last month.

       Much anticipated will be the Royal Address by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and the national effort to further drive recovery measures during the post-Covid-19 pandemic period, Budget 2022 and the 12th Malaysia Plan.

       The assurance of winds of change by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who has pledged parliamentary and governance reforms under his new administration, will be put to the test.

       However, it is unlikely that the meeting will be totally void of heated exchanges between lawmakers, what more if there is a contest to fill one of the vacant Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker’s posts.

       Political analyst Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian of Universiti Sains Malaysia said the Royal Address would be of particular interest to the people.

       “They will want to see how the King will pique the interest of MPs in the Dewan Rakyat and how he wants to see the future of Parliament as an institution protected by the Federal Constitution,” he said.

       He said the offer of reforms by Ismail Sabri would have a bearing on the shape of the meeting.

       “The government itself is tabling the proposed reforms. There should be no reason for the Opposition to reject the reforms as these are things which they themselves wanted,” said Prof Sivamurugan.

       He said the reforms would have far reaching effects on the political landscape and not solely confined to the walls of the august House.

       “We hope to see more mature debates that come with ideas and recommendations on the reforms rather than just sentiments, emotions and provocations,” Prof Sivamurugan said.

       He said the election of a new Deputy Speaker would be a test for Ismail Sabri on whether he has narrowed the rift between Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) lawmakers.

       Pontian MP Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan, who is the Umno secretary-general, and Teluk Intan MP Nga Kor Ming of the DAP, who was the Deputy Speaker under Pakatan Harapan rule, are tipped to be nominated for the post at the start of the Dewan Rakyat meeting before the Royal Address.

       The meeting was originally scheduled to start on Sept 6, but this was deferred following the collapse of Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration on Aug 16.

       It will take place for 17 days up to Oct 12. The meeting will also include debates on the 12th Malaysia Plan.

       International Islamic University political analyst Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod said he expected to see better collaboration between lawmakers on the reform proposals.

       He said some of the proposed reforms could be implemented immediately through policy changes while others required amending several pieces of legislation including the Federal Constitution.

       Prof Nik Ahmad Kama said some reforms could be tabled by the government during the current meeting for First Reading with debates to be held when lawmakers meet again at the end of the year.

       “For example, the government could engage the Opposition to get their preliminary input on Budget 2022. This will pave the way for a consensus among MPs to pass the Budget with less hassles during debates,” he said.

       On Friday, Ismail Sabri announced several parliamentary reforms, including lowering the voting age to 18, which he pledged to implement as soon as possible.

       Others include limiting a prime minister’s tenure to 10 years and ensuring equal representation in parliamentary select committees among backbenchers and opposition MPs.