KUALA LUMPUR, 27 Aug 2008: Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia hopes that Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will observe decorum in the Dewan Rakyat.
Anwar, who won the Permatang Pauh by-election yesterday, would be sworn in as a member of parliament in the Dewan Rakyat tommorow.
Assuring that Anwar would be treated like other members, Pandikar Amin also hoped that the Permatang Pauh MP, whom the opposition parties expected to appoint as the Opposition Leader, would be able to control opposition members from behaving excessively.
"To me there’s nothing unusual (in having Anwar in the Dewan Rakyat) but I expect decorum. Maybe he can control opposition MPs from going overboard and breaching the standing order.
"He was in government before and I expect nothing less than decorum from a former deputy prime minister," he said when asked on Anwar’s swearing in ceremony tomorrow.
Earlier today, Pandikar Amin confirmed that he had received an official notification from the Election Commission on the results of the Permatang Pauh by-election.
He said he had also been in contact with Anwar regarding tomorrow’s swearing-in ceremony.
On the Opposition Leader’s post, which was previously held by PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, Pandikar Amin said, he had yet to receive official notification on the matter.
"I am still waiting for the official reply from them (opposition parties)," he said.
He also dismissed talks that the tabling of the 2009 Budget on Friday could not be held without the presence of an opposition leader. – Bernama
