Anwar sworn in

After an absence of 10 years, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim finally returned to Parliament as an MP.
Wearing a black Baju Melayu, the PKR de facto leader lifted his right hand and was sworn in as the Pematang Pauh MP in the Chambers at 10am.The seven-minute oath-taking ceremony, which took place immediately after morning prayers, and before Question Time, was witnessed by speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia, Anwar's family, ministers Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, Datuk Zaid Ibrahim and Datuk Mustapa Mohamed and other MPs from both sides of the divide."Bismillahirrahmanirrahim. I, Anwar Ibrahim, as an MP, do hereby swear with all honesty that I will fulfil my duties honestly and will defend and protect the Constitution," he said to thumps of support from the Opposition block.After the ceremony, he went back to his allocated seat, located at front row of Block H, which directly faces the seat of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Pandikar Amin also announced Anwar's appointment as the Opposition leader."I am satisfied that the Opposition block unnanimously agreed to this and starting today, he is the Opposition leader," he said.In congratulating Anwar, Pandikar Amin expressed hopes that the PKR leader would render his services effectively.There was no live telecast for the swearing-in ceremony.At the start of the Question Hour, Datuk Eric Enchin Majimbun (BN-Sepanggar) congratulated Anwar for his appointment, before asking his allocated first question.Nazri, in his personal capacity as the Padang Rengas MP, also congratulated Anwar.Earlier, the former deputy prime minister arrived at the August House at 9.50am with his wife Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and family, who were clad in aquamarine baju kurung.He was met by DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur).The photographers and cameramen who had been on standby at the Parliament lobby since 9am went into a frenzy, jostling to take his pictures.Flanked by his bodyguards, Anwar and his family slowly made his way into the Chambers while the media continue to surround him.In the Chambers, he chatted with PKR leaders, including Lim and his son Guan Eng (DAP-Bagan) and Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang (PAS-Marang).PKR retained the Permatang Pauh seat with 15,671 majority, after trashing BN's Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah and Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia's Hanafi Mamat.Anwar polled 31,195 votes, while Arif got 15,524. Hanifi only manage to garner 92 votes, losing his deposit in the process.The Permatang Pauh seat fell vacant after Anwar's wife, Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, vacated her seat on July 31.