KUALA LUMPUR: Former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in in the Dewan Rakyat as the new Permatang Pauh member of Parliament (MP) after 10 years' absence in active politics.
Accompanied by his fellow colleagues in the opposition, he walked into the august House at 9.55am.
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Anwar taking the oath in parliament. Photo by Mohd Izwan Mohd Nazam |
Anwar took the oath as MP for Permatang Pauh at 10.03am before Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia and soon after took the seat reserved for the parliamentary Opposition Leader. It was previously occupied by his wife Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail who vacated her seat to pave the way for Anwar's entry into parliament.
The Opposition Leader's seat is directly opposite the Prime Minister's seat in the 222-member Parliament.
"I hope the member for Permatang Pauh will contribute to the proceedings of this House. I am satisfied he has been unanimously appointed leader of the opposition," said speaker Pandikar Amin
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Nazri Abdul Aziz congratulated Anwar before he answered the first question during the question and answer session.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his deputy Datuk Seri Najib Tun Abdul Razak were not present at the dewan. Among the other Umno ministers present Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and Datuk Mustapa Mohamaed.
Earlier Anwar came to Parliament together with Wan Azizah and his daughter Nurul Izzah, who is also parliamentarian for Lembah Pantai just before nine.