With a record number of ten ethnic Indian lawmakers and a woman as opposition leader for the first time in the country's history, Malaysia's 12th Parliament opened in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.

Lawmakers took the oath of office to join a revamped parliament after the March 8 general election, which has also resulted in the opposition occupying more benches than ever before.

For the second time in its history, the ruling Barisan Nasional will be without a two-thirds majority, after the coalition of premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi lost five of the 13 states to the opposition, as also one third of parliamentary seats.

The BN can pass legislations without any opposition support as only a simple majority is needed for the purpose, however, it will need the support of the opposition if it wants to amend the constitution.

Chances are, unless absolutely necessary, BN will go the whole five years without attempting any constitutional changes, the New Straits Times said.

"Being chosen as Member of Parliament, I vow to honestly fulfil my obligations as such," Abdullah said as he read out the oath.

Since the opposition has more numbers now, "they may want to speak more, they may want to criticise more. It is our duty to respond accordingly," Home Minister Syed Hamid Albar said.

For the first time, the opposition in Parliament will be headed by a woman, Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, head of the People's Justice Party, and wife of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim. "We will be highlighting many issues about the economy, corruption, and judicial transparency," she said.