Wan Azizah to be parliamentary Opposition Leader

PETALING JAYA (March 19, 2008): The Opposition parties have proposed for Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) president Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, who is also Permatang Pauh MP, to be their leader in the 12th Parliament.

This is until PKR adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim qualifies to stand for elections, the PKR information bureau said in an e-mailed press statement today.

In the 12th general election on March 8, PKR won 31 parliamentary seats, the biggest among the opposition compared with DAP (28) and PAS (23).

There are 222 seats in the Dewan Rakyat and of this, 140 were won by Barisan Nasional (BN).

According to the statement jointly signed by Anwar, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang, the decision was reached in a meeting today.

"We agree that the wishes of the people as manifested during the election must be respected and implemented by us and our parties.

"We agree that a stronger form of cooperation must be seriously considered, taking cognisance of the desires of the people for the formation of a new government for the Federation and the states that can bring major changes for the rakyat," they said.

THE SUN