Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah will open the first meeting of the fifth term of Parliament this Monday.

It will be his first opening of the parliament sitting since being appointed the 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong last December.

He will address the House and the speech will then be debated by members of the House which will sit for 20 days.

azlan This sitting will be a significant one because several agenda which are expected to change the political, economic and social landscape of the country will be tabled.

They include the tabling of two new laws to replace the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960, which is expected to be given special attention by various quarters, especially political observers.

It has been reported that the government will table two Bills to replace the ISA at this coming parliament sitting.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak had given the assurance that the two new acts would provide a balance between promoting individual rights and civil liberties, as well as safeguarding public order.

The move, he said, would allow Malaysia to practise a more progressive system of democracy and be respected by other countries.

UUCA amendment

He said the new laws would be drafted under "the spirit and umbrella" of Article 149 of the Federal Constitution to prevent subversive acts, planned violence and crime.

The proposed amendment to Section 15 of the Universities and University Colleges Act 1974 to allow the participation of university students in politics is also expected to get special attention from the parliamentary members.

azlan Also expected to be of focus is a report by the parliamentary select committee (PSC) on electoral reforms.

Certainly, many are waiting to know the suggestions made by the committee and how many of them would be accepted by the Election Commission for implementation.

Although there are several other important issues, like the listing of Felda Global Venture Holdings Sdn Bhd (FGVH) in Bursa Malaysia and share-swap deal between national carrier Malaysian Airlines (MAS) and low-cost airline AirAsia, many opine that government matters should be resolved first as they form part of the "shield" for Barisan Nasional to face its "enemy" in the 13th general election.

The current mandate ends in April 2013.

- Bernama