KUALA LUMPUR – Although his party now does not have the majority of seats in the Dewan Rakyat, PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim is set to continue his role as the parliamenatry Opposition Leader.
Speculations about who would hold the position surfaced after the series of resignations by PKR parliamentarians and the recent axing of Bandar Baru-Kulim MP Zulkifli Noordin.
The PKR is now left with just 26 seats in Parliament, two seats less than the DAP.
PAS has 23 and Parti Sosialis Malaysia, one. There are now seven Independent MPs.
The Barisan Nasional controls the House with 137 MPs and rumours have it that the coalition is encouraging more reps from the Pakatan Rakyat alliance to cross over and give Barisan its much sought-after two thirds majority in Parliament.
No objections against Anwar
So far, there has not been any objections or counter suggestions regarding Anwar’s position among opposition benchers. DAP stalwart had said it: “Let Anwar continue as the Opposition Leader.”
PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali told a press conference on Saturday that there is no problem for the rest of the Pakatan leaders for Anwar to stay on as the Opppiosition Leader.
“Besides the PKR, PAS and the DAP are also steadfast on their stand that Anwar should continue to lead the opposition bench,” said Mustafa, brushing aside talk that Pakatan partners want Anwar out of the way.
“The Opposition Leader does not have an easy task in the Dewan. He does not have the funds like the MPs on the Barisan’s side.
“To be an opposition politician, one has t remember that you have to work on your own effort and you have to go all out to help the people. This is not a playful thing,” said Mustafa.
It has been customary over the past 50 years for the Opposition Leader to come from the party that commands the majority of seats.
Those who were Opposition Leaders
Among those who had held the post previously and still command a lot of following in the august House are Lim and and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang
Only once was the role given to a woman. PKR president Wan Azizah Ismail, however, stepped down from the post in late 2008 to make way for husband, Anwar. He has held it since.
Poltical observers say the choice of Opposition Leader is crucial as the person taking the role has to be one who can take the Barisan by the horns and steer the rest of his team towards a single sense of purpose.
The opposition after the March 2008 election is unlike all previous oppositions since it now has well over 80 places in the 222 seat House.
It is considered strong, infuential and, often, provides a more commanding presence than the Barisan in the legislative proceedings. It can easily find a replacement for Anwar, should he decline to take up the post.
But if the Opposition benchers say they still want Anwar to lead, who is to argue?
MPs' right to make choice
As stated by Mustafa: “The right to determine who shall be Opposition Leader is with the Pakatan MPs – not the Government or the Speaker of the House.
“Should a vote be taken, for instance, and the majority of the opposition MPs are in favour of a particular member, than that is the person who should lead the oppostion.”
In Malaysia’s political scenario this is not an unusual situation as it had happened before; such as in Penang where the Gerakan was given the mandate to name the chief minister despite Umno having the majority of seats.
It had also happened in Sabah, under a now aborted rotation system , where even a leader of a ‘mosquito’ party like the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) can have its member to helm the state government.
Malaysian Mirror
07/03/10
Speculations about who would hold the position surfaced after the series of resignations by PKR parliamentarians and the recent axing of Bandar Baru-Kulim MP Zulkifli Noordin.
The PKR is now left with just 26 seats in Parliament, two seats less than the DAP.
PAS has 23 and Parti Sosialis Malaysia, one. There are now seven Independent MPs.
The Barisan Nasional controls the House with 137 MPs and rumours have it that the coalition is encouraging more reps from the Pakatan Rakyat alliance to cross over and give Barisan its much sought-after two thirds majority in Parliament.
No objections against Anwar
So far, there has not been any objections or counter suggestions regarding Anwar’s position among opposition benchers. DAP stalwart had said it: “Let Anwar continue as the Opposition Leader.”
PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali told a press conference on Saturday that there is no problem for the rest of the Pakatan leaders for Anwar to stay on as the Opppiosition Leader.
“Besides the PKR, PAS and the DAP are also steadfast on their stand that Anwar should continue to lead the opposition bench,” said Mustafa, brushing aside talk that Pakatan partners want Anwar out of the way.
“The Opposition Leader does not have an easy task in the Dewan. He does not have the funds like the MPs on the Barisan’s side.
“To be an opposition politician, one has t remember that you have to work on your own effort and you have to go all out to help the people. This is not a playful thing,” said Mustafa.
It has been customary over the past 50 years for the Opposition Leader to come from the party that commands the majority of seats.
Those who were Opposition Leaders
Among those who had held the post previously and still command a lot of following in the august House are Lim and and PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang
Only once was the role given to a woman. PKR president Wan Azizah Ismail, however, stepped down from the post in late 2008 to make way for husband, Anwar. He has held it since.
Poltical observers say the choice of Opposition Leader is crucial as the person taking the role has to be one who can take the Barisan by the horns and steer the rest of his team towards a single sense of purpose.
The opposition after the March 2008 election is unlike all previous oppositions since it now has well over 80 places in the 222 seat House.
It is considered strong, infuential and, often, provides a more commanding presence than the Barisan in the legislative proceedings. It can easily find a replacement for Anwar, should he decline to take up the post.
But if the Opposition benchers say they still want Anwar to lead, who is to argue?
MPs' right to make choice
As stated by Mustafa: “The right to determine who shall be Opposition Leader is with the Pakatan MPs – not the Government or the Speaker of the House.
“Should a vote be taken, for instance, and the majority of the opposition MPs are in favour of a particular member, than that is the person who should lead the oppostion.”
In Malaysia’s political scenario this is not an unusual situation as it had happened before; such as in Penang where the Gerakan was given the mandate to name the chief minister despite Umno having the majority of seats.
It had also happened in Sabah, under a now aborted rotation system , where even a leader of a ‘mosquito’ party like the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) can have its member to helm the state government.
Malaysian Mirror
07/03/10
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