FOR the first time in history, parliament has held an open day, allowing Malaysians to learn more about its role as the country’s highest legislative body and its history.

Dewan Negara President Rais Yatim said visitors starting arriving as early as 9am and it had proven to be a popular event.

“The building signifies that the rights that exist in parliament are the rights of the people,” he said the opening ceremony today.

He said there will be exhibitions about statesmen and also books, performances, traditional food, arts and crafts, and paintings and caricatures.

There are a total of 48 exhibitors from ministries, departments, agencies, civil society groups and embassies.

Rais also launched the book: ‘Parliament of Malaysia: Pillar of the Nation’s Democracy’ produced in co-operation with the parliamentary research and interpretation officers.

Visitor Shum Keng Yan, 52 said he was excited to be in the building.

“It has been around 30 years that I have had a wish to visit parliament, and I have finally done it.

“I have only read about it in books and watched on television previously, but now I get to see the place myself, so I’m really satisfied. I even managed to see the Dewan Negara and Dewan Rakyat,” he said. 

For Desa Mahkota sixth form college student Ahmad Aliff Sofi Ahmat, 19, the open day event allowed him to get learn more about Malaysia’s legislative body, specifically about the roles of the Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara. 

“I get to see the country’s administrative process closer and also what our elected representatives do here,” he added. – Bernama, May 6, 2023.