DAP Kluang MP Liew Chin Tong predicted it could be dissolved early as this was the first time a sixth term of the 13th Parliament is being held.
“The reason for this is that they want to present the redelineation of electoral boundaries to the Dewan Rakyat.
“The first three weeks will be on debating issues brought up by the king. Due to that, I expect the present sitting to go on till March 29,” he told FMT at the Parliament lobby.
The Dewan Rakyat is expected to start debating on Yang-di Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V’s speech tomorrow till March 22.
Liew said the government will then present the redelineation proposal and the fake news bills in the fourth week of the sitting (March 26 to 29).
“I predict the Dewan Rakyat will be dissolved in the first week of April.”
PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan told FMT that Parliament will be dissolved early.
“It might not reach Dewan Negara. Some say there is no need to have this present sitting.
“The government is having this final sitting to table the redelineation proposal but it is just an order paper and they can bypass the Dewan Negara and bring it to the king,” said the lawyer.
Deputy Transport Minister Aziz Kaprawi agreed there was a possibility of Parliament dissolving early before the sitting ends.
The Sri Gading MP said he was excited as this was the first time in Malaysian history that the Dewan Rakyat would be sitting for the sixth time.
“I am proud to be MP and to be witnessing this historic occasion.”
The opposition is not in favour of boundary changes as it says this favours Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Electoral boundaries were last changed in 2003, under the leadership of then-prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was also accused of manipulating the process in favour of the ruling coalition.
Mahathir, 92, who led Malaysia for 22 years, is now running as Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for prime minister against Najib, his former protege.
Mahathir has led calls for Najib to step down since 2015, after the controversy over state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Najib has denied any wrongdoing.
Yacht, seats redrawing to take centre stage at ‘final’ Dewan Rakyat sitting