Vote for Speaker must be by secret ballot or expect "major trouble" - Anwar

Parliamentarians should vote for the new Dewan Rakyat speaker in an absolutely secret ballot, or expect a "battle", warns PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking to reporters, Anwar also announced that Pakatan Rakyat is nominating PAS' Tumpat MP Kamaruddin Jaafar (left) for one of the deputy speaker posts, while the other should be filled by a BN representative.

"If we're talking about secret ballot, then it has to be to the letter. Don't go on technical matters (by saying) as long as it is secret, can vote in front of friends.

"If they bulldoze through the decision on who will be the speaker, then they are in for a major battle," Anwar said, directing his warning to the Parliament secretariat, which will organise the ballot.

A secret ballot would mean that MPs would be able to vote without toeing party lines or adhering to their respective whips.

Pakatan has nominated former Federal Court judge Abdul Kadir Sulaiman as Dewan Rakyat speaker, while BN said it wants Pandikar Amin Mulia, whose term as Dewan Rakyat speaker ends on June 23, to stay on in the post.

Anwar said Abdul Kadir's track record showed that he would be able to convene sittings in a "fairer and more respectable" manner.

Pakatan hopes to rehabilitate image of Parliament

"Pakatan hopes to rehabilitate the image of Parliament so that it will no longer be seen as a ring (gelanggang) for only one side," he said.

"The convention is for consensus be reached, but it seems that Umno-BN is conventionally not open to discussions, despite knowing that we obtained the majority vote."

Anwar said Pakatan has also agreed to retain him as Opposition Leader for the second term.

"The seating arrangements have been sent to the (Parliament) secretariat," he said at a press conference held after the Pakatan leadership council meeting.

On another matter, he said Pakatan would be holding a convention at De Palma Hotel in Ampang, Selangor, on Sunday to discuss the coalition's policies.

The convention will be attended by members of the DAP, PKR and PAS as well as the menteris besar and chief minister of Selangor, Kelantan and Penang.

- Malaysiakini