ALL MPs are expected to participate in an in-depth debate on the royal address by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah at the opening of the first meeting of the second session of the 15th parliament today.

Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the MPs, both from the government and the opposition, should make optimal use of the debate session to give their input to help the people and develop the nation.

He said the opposition MPs could also provide constructive criticism as checks and balances to the government.

“I hope the content of the royal address can be comprehended, understood in depth and further discussed,” he told reporters at the Parliament.

“I hope our MPs can play their roles in the debate, avoid mockery, think about the people and talk about policies that can help develop the country.”

Fahmi said for his ministry, digital connectivity and efforts to amend the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 should be among the topics given attention by the MPs.

In the royal address earlier, Al-Sultan Abdullah said, among others, that digital connectivity is among the most important foundation for the development of a nation.

As such, the Agong said, the National Digital Network initiative has been formed to expedite the development of the country’s digital infrastructure so that the people can enjoy the opportunities that will be created by the technology and further support the nation’s digital economic development agenda.

According to the parliament calendar, the Dewan Rakyat will meet from today until March 30 with the debate on the royal address to run for five days from tomorrow before the winding-up session by ministers on February 22 and 23. – Bernama, February 13, 2023.