Anwar remains opposition leader despite suspension, says Hadi

MI

KEPALA BATAS, Dec 19 — Pakatan Rakyat (PR) has decided today to keep Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the Parliamentary Opposition Leader despite his six months suspension from the Dewan Rakyat.

The decision was made at the PR leadership council meeting here, PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang announced in his winding-up speech at the coalition’s convention.

“Although DAP has the most seats in the Dewan Rakyat, we decided in the meeting that Datuk Seri Anwar remains as Opposition Leader,” he said.

DAP national chairman Karpal Singh later echoed Hadi’s words, saying that PR could not take over Putrajaya without Anwar (picture).

“I am confident that next year’s convention will be held in Putrajaya..but we should not go there without Anwar,” said Karpal.

PR has consistently backed the Permatang Pauh MP as its de facto leader despite a second sodomy charge against him, which he said was a political conspiracy.

Another three PR MPs were also given six-month suspensions following a motion by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) government. The suspension rules them out of parliament past its March 7 session.

There is speculation that BN might call for snap polls in the first half of next year.