Dewan Rakyat - Day 1 : ICE BREAKER

Dewan Rakyat Convenes First Meeting, Pandikar Amin Sworn In As Speaker
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- The first meeting of the first session of the 12th parliament began today, with the swearing-in of the 222 members of parliament led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Before the MPs were sworn in, Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, a veteran Sabah politician, took the oath of office and was proclaimed the Dewan Rakyat speaker. – MORE

Parliament opens, votes decide deputy speakers
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 - It was like the first day of school. Lawmakers in spiffy new clothes, mostly in suits, walking in smartly with either their spouses or parents or children, ready to be sworn in after the March 8 general elections.
With 99 new Members of Parliament and a record 82 on the Opposition bench, some MPs appeared lost looking for their place in the chamber while others exchanged stories with those who survived and kept their seats.
This is the second time the ruling Barisan Nasional and its predecessor, the Alliance, have had only a simple majority instead of a two-thirds majority since independence in August 1957.
But the first day of the 12th Parliament was sedate with veteran politician and Democratic Action Party (DAP) chairman Karpal Singh providing the only drama when he invoked the Parliament's Standing Orders to get MPs to hold their right hand while taking the oath.
Apparently one MP had failed to do so while taking the oath before Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia. Ironically, a wheelchair-bound Karpal sought dispensation to take his oath with his left hand. -- MORE


Parliament's First Session 0:35 mins 222 MPs sworn in as Parliament holds its first session on Monday. -- thestaronline
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBFeyDrHgpA
http://thestaronline.tv/default.aspx?vid=1276

Malaysia's new lawmakers take oath
Malaysia's newly elected lawmakers took the oath of office in parliament on Monday after March 8 general elections which changed the political landscape.…
Abdullah was the first one to be sworn in parliament, followed by his deputy Najib Razak and other cabinet ministers.
"I, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, being chosen as a member of parliament, vow to honestly fulfil my obligations with all my strength.
"I pledge my true loyalty to Malaysia and vow to preserve, protect and defend the constitution," Abdullah, who wore a black and gold traditional Malay outfit, said.
King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin will officially open the first session of the 222-member parliament on Tuesday. –MORE

New MPs Upbeat About Duties
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- New members of parliament (MPs) are upbeat about their duties.Lenggong MP Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah said he would defend government policies."This is the best opportunity for the MPs to speak in the interest of the people," he told reporters after the swearing-in ceremony here Monday.Labis MP Chua Tee Yong hoped to pick up the tricks of the trade from senior MPs by mingling with them on his first day in parliament."Initially, I'll observe the sitting especially the question-and-answer session before taking part in the debate," he said.For Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar, she would use the sitting of parliament to voice out the grouses of her constituents."I'm ready to carry out the task entrusted on me. I will also raise issues affecting the younger generation and the need to improve the systems," she said.Titiwangsa MP Dr Lo'Lo Mohamad Ghazali said besides focusing on women's issues, she would also highlight the need to address urban poverty.-- BERNAMA

Police Asked To Ensure Smooth Traffic Flow To Parliament KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar wants police to ensure smooth traffic flow to the Parliament building here. -- MORE

Pandikar To Look Into Claims That Wan Azizah Not Invited To Parliament Opening
KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 (Bernama) -- Newly sworn-in Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said Monday he would look into claims that Opposition Leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail was not sent an invitation card for the opening the 12th Parliament Tuesday."If I think that this needs to be corrected, I will correct it. I've just been appointed speaker... but the invitations were sent out earlier. We will invite those who should be invited," he told reporters here Monday. -- MORE

Who did not vote for Tan Seng Giaw? - The election for the two posts of deputy speaker proceeded smoothly, but many were puzzled why DAP national deputy chairman Dr Tan Seng Giaw only managed to get 81 votes when there were 82 Opposition representatives in the Dewan Rakyat today. -- MORE

MP Bloggers @Work - thestaronline
New MPs Jeff Ooi and Tony Pua are famous for their blogs and both are committed to blogging while they are seated in the Dewan Rakyat.
http://thestaronline.tv/default.aspx?vid=1279
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R27T0HWgbv8

Pakatan MPs usher new age in Malaysian politics
KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 28 (ES) - Parliamentarians from the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) coalition met at the onset of the new parliamentary sitting to begin on Wednesday expressed hope for a more democratic and a country that no longer being defined by communal interest.
The 82 PR parliamentarians from Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS), People's Justice Party (KeADILan) and Democratic Action Party (DAP) were today sworn in for a new sitting that promises to be "lively" and "historic". -- MORE

et cetera, etc...

MPs to be sworn in on April 28

MPs to be sworn in on April 28

[KL, March 27, 2008]: The 222 newly-elected members of parliament will be sworn in on April 28, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Depart-ment Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz said yesterday (March 26, 2008 - ed). YDP Agung Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin will open both houses of parliament on April 29.
Nazri told the NST that the Dewan Rakyat will sit for 16 days. He said notices were being prepared to be sent to the MPs.
Nazri said the 3 opposition parties – DAP, PKR, and Pas – will also have their own offices in the parliament complex. Previously, only a single office was provided for the opposition.
Another change will see the establishment of between 16 and 20 functional offices for the various cabinet portfolios and their ministers. “This will be their office when parliament is in session,” he said, adding that this would also enable the ministers to attend the parliament sessions.
On the seating arrangement in the Dewan Rakyat, which will see a drastic change this time compared with previous parliaments, Nazri said it was still being finalized. The seating arrangement in the Dewan Rakyat is in the form of a horse shoe comprising 8 blocks. In the 12th general election, BN won 140 seats, PKR 31, DAP 29 and PAS 23 seats. The opposition will occupy 3-and-a-half blocks, with the remainder going to the BN. -- nstonline

MPs urged to follow the rules

KUALA LUMPUR, April 26 ─ New Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia has urged MPs to follow the rules when debating issues. The House sits on Monday.
"I want to be fair to everybody but all MPs should know what to do and they must do it within the parameters of the rules. If they follow the rules, everybody will be happy," he told reporters at the rehearsal of the opening ceremony for the first session of the 12th Parliament yesterday.
Also present were Santubong MP Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and Beluran MP Datuk Ronald Kiandee, who were both appointed Deputy Speakers.
Pandikar Amin, 52, a former minister in the Prime Minister's Department, replaces Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib and become only the seventh Speaker since Parliament was created in 1959.
Asked whether errant MPs would be asked to leave the House, he said: "I don't know yet. Let us wait and see."
Pandikar Amin, who was surprised over his appointment, thanked those involved in the decision and pledged to give his best.
Monday's sitting is set to make a record of sorts with 99 new MPs and a strong Opposition with 82 MPs, a four-fold increase from the last one.
The 12th Dewan Rakyat session will be opened by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin on Tuesday. ─ Bernama