His Majesty The King XIV Almu’tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku Alhaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah officiated the opening of the first meeting of the third session of the 13th Parliament here today.
 

His Majesty The King, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah received the royal address text from the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak during the opening ceremony of the first meeting of the third session of the 13th Parliament at the Parliament Building here today.
 

The ceremonial event of Guards of Honour, which is normally held at the Parliament Square, was held at the Banquet Hall of the Main Block of Parliament. This was the third time it was held at the Banquet Hall. The first time was during the opening of the first session of the 13th Parliament on 25 June 2013 due to bad weather.

The arrival of His Majesty The King and Queen Tuanku Hajah Haminah at 10 a.m. was welcomed by the President of the Senate, H.E. Senator Tan Sri Abu Zahar Ujang and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, H.E. Tan Sri Datuk Sri Panglima Pandikar Amin Mulia. Present also were the Prime Minister Hon. Dato' Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak and wife Datin Sri Rosmah Mansor, and the Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Tan Sri Dato’ Hj. Muhyiddin bin Hj. Mohd Yassin to welcome the King and Queen’s arrival.

Tuanku Abdul Halim and Tuanku Hajah Haminah were later being ushered to the Banquet Hall to receive the Royal Salute from three Guards of Honour and 24 members of different ranks from the First Battalion of Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Azlan Shah Baharom.

The National Anthem was performed by the Central Band of the Royal Malay Regiment from Sungai Besi Camp, followed by a 21-gun salute. However, the inspection of the Guards of Honour by His Majesty The King was not held as usual due to the limited space in the Banquet Hall. The ceremonial bell was rung at 11 a.m. sharp and Seri Paduka was ushered to the House of Representatives to deliver his royal address.

The House of Representatives will sit for 20 days and end on 9 April. The Senate will start its meeting on 13 April and is scheduled to end on 28 April.