Dewan Rakyat: Uphold people's trust, King tells Parliament

By : V. Vasudevan, B. Suresh Ram, Eileen Ng, R.S. Kamini and Arman Ahmad

LAWMAKERS must demonstrate good character and conduct, and protect social peace at all times, the King said as he opened a Parliament with the largest opposition ever.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin said Members of Parliament should not fail the trust placed in them by the people.

"Carry out the trust that the people have placed in you by participating actively and responsibly in the spirit of parliamentary democracy," he said in his Royal Address at the first meeting of the first session of the 12th Parliament.

Tuanku Mizan called on the members of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara to execute their duties and responsibilities with sincerity, honesty, trustworthiness, credibility and integrity for the good of the country.

He reminded MPs that they must place the country's interests above individual political gain.

"Let this august House be a platform for conveying constructive criticisms and sound opinions. Honourable members should have the national interest as their primary objective, and not make this august House a forum for the furtherance of individual political interests.

"The people's respect for and confidence in Parliament as the country's supreme legislative body is contingent upon the role of the honourable members," he said.

[More at http://www.nst.com.my/Wednesday/Frontpage/2227473/Article/index_html]