PARLIAMENT In an unprecedented move, the worsening haze has forced this morning's customary inspection of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD) honour guard by the Agong, His Majesty Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, to be held indoors.

Although the traditional 21-gun salute was still fired by the ceremonial artillery battery stationed outside Parliament, the normal marching-in and drills on the Parliament parade ground were forgone.

NONE Instead, the Agong conducted a simpler inspection prior to opening the first sitting of the 13th Parliament.

The honour guard of 107 men and officers from the 1st Battalion RAMD were arrayed in their ceremonial gear inside the banquet hall of Parliament House, the largest indoor space available.

The Agong was then escorted in to greet the assembled ministers, senior officials and foreign dignitaries before inspecting the parade and accepting their salute.

The matter was noted by BN's Kota Belud MP Abdul Rahman Dahlan in his tweet.

"Upacara perasmian Parlimen hari ini akan diadakan di dalam dewan bankuasi termasuk pemeriksaan perbarisan oleh Agong. #klhaze #fb"

NONE (The Parliament's opening ceremony today shall be done inside the banquet hall, including the inspection of the honour guard by the Agong.)

He used the hashtag #klhaze to signify the cause of the move.

This was confirmed by DAP parliamentary leader and Gelang Patah MP, Lim Kit Siang ( left ), in his own tweet later.

"Bcos bad haze situation, 4first time in history, official opening of Parliament by Yang di Pertuan Agong dispensing with official marchpast."

This follows the worsening condition in Selangor and the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, as the haze - which has wreaked havoc in areas like Muar in the south of the peninsula - begins to inch its way up north and creeps into the coastal areas like Kemaman and Kuantan.

Related stories

Group ups pressure on environment minister

Gov't not doing enough to control mask prices, says DAP

Kit Siang: Censure Najib, Palanivel for haze oversight

Rain eases haze but Port Klang remains hazardous

MCA slams Indonesian minister over haze salvo

Haze shows Asean's paralysis and Najib's sluggishness?

MTUC wants bosses to give free masks to workers

Haze forces closure of 239 schools in Perak