Anwar Happy To Be Back At Parliament, Accompanying Wife

KUALA LUMPUR, April 29 (Bernama)

Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is happy to be back at parliament after 10 years, although this time it is to accompany his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the opposition leader in the Dewan Rakyat.

Anwar said it was the start for him and told his friends that he would be there always and that now was the right time for him.

"Overall, parliament is better now but the traditions and atmosphere are still the same," he told reporters after a luncheon with Raja Permaisuri Agong Tuanku Nur Zahirah in his capacity as the spouse of Dr Wan Azizah, after the opening of the first sitting of parliament's 12th session by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, here Tuesday.

Dr Wan Azizah, the PKR president, attended the luncheon with Tuanku Mizan and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Asked about the difference between appearing as the spouse of an MP and as a cabinet member previously, Anwar said 10 years was a long time and it made him feel humbled and respect for the opposition leader.

Asked whether he met the other MPs, Anwar said: "I am happy to meet some of my old friends including in the cabinet, they said very nice things. I greeted most of them...the prime minister, deputy prime minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak), Speaker (Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia) and ministers Datuk Nazri (Aziz), (Datuk Seri) Hishammuddin, (Datuk Seri) Syed Hamid (Albar)."

Anwar said he was pleased that Dr Wan Azizah, the MP for Permatang Pauh, was now the Opposition leader and his daughter, Nurul Izzah, 27, the youngest MP.

Asked on the possibility of him becoming an MP, Anwar said: "Now that I'm here, I'll stay and there's no turning back.

"I don't think there'll be much of a problem but we have to discuss with the other parties in the Pakatan Rakyat first. It's too early now."