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Malaysia swears in new Parliament with big mandate for PM
Kuala Lumpur, May 17: Malaysia`s new Parliament was sworn in today with an overwhelming majority for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi following his election victory that obliterated the Islamic fundamentalist opposition.
Kuala Lumpur, May 17: Malaysia's new Parliament was sworn in today with an overwhelming majority for Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi following his election victory that obliterated the Islamic fundamentalist opposition.
Nevertheless, opposition legislators vowed not to be "intimidated," insisting they would speak up despite being outnumbered nearly 10 to one by ruling coalition lawmakers.
In a three-hour ceremony, more than 200 Members of Parliament's Lower House - starting with Abdullah -swore oaths to fulfill their responsibilities and uphold the Constitution.
"The Malaysian Parliament is effective and systematic and will conduct itself according to the rule of law," said Mohamed Zahir Ismail, the Speaker of the Lower House.
Abdullah, who succeeded retired leader Mahathir Mohamad last October, led his secular National Front coalition to capture about 90 per cent of parliament's seats in March general elections, capping Malaysia's transition to its first new administration in two decades.
The coalition's rout of its main challenger, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, signaled widespread rejection of the fundamentalist group's hardline policies and strong public approval in this mostly Muslim country for Abdullah's moderate agenda.
Kamaruddin Jaafar, the Islamic Party's top official in Parliament, said the opposition would still voice its views on issues such as corruption and religious affairs, even though the fundamentalists' representation had plummeted from 27 federal lawmakers to seven.
Bureau Report
In a three-hour ceremony, more than 200 Members of Parliament's Lower House - starting with Abdullah -swore oaths to fulfill their responsibilities and uphold the Constitution.
"The Malaysian Parliament is effective and systematic and will conduct itself according to the rule of law," said Mohamed Zahir Ismail, the Speaker of the Lower House.
Abdullah, who succeeded retired leader Mahathir Mohamad last October, led his secular National Front coalition to capture about 90 per cent of parliament's seats in March general elections, capping Malaysia's transition to its first new administration in two decades.
The coalition's rout of its main challenger, the Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, signaled widespread rejection of the fundamentalist group's hardline policies and strong public approval in this mostly Muslim country for Abdullah's moderate agenda.
Kamaruddin Jaafar, the Islamic Party's top official in Parliament, said the opposition would still voice its views on issues such as corruption and religious affairs, even though the fundamentalists' representation had plummeted from 27 federal lawmakers to seven.
Bureau Report