KUALA LUMPUR, March 9 — A cloud of uncertainty appears to hangs over Pakatan Rakyat with its elected leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim missing from the Dewan Rakyat today.

As a matter of tradition, Anwar as the opposition leader would spearhead debating the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s speech from tomorrow. 

No announcement has been made for an acting opposition leader to speak in his stead, nor if previously-touted protests against the jailing of Anwar over barring from Parliament would be carried out as the third session of the 13^th Parliament reconvenes.

But political observer Dr Lim Teck Ghee believes the lack of fanfare is deliberate on PR’s front, to spotlight the reason for Anwar’s absence from the lower legislative house, and which the PKR adviser’s lawyers have claimed to be a denial of the senior opposition lawmaker’s role in a parliamentary democracy.

“I am sure that decisions have been made with regard to covering up for Anwar’s absence from Parliament. 

“The lack of news is not because PR is unprepared but is probably to add some drama and make the news,” the director of Centre for Policy Initiatives told Malay Mail Online yesterday.

A senior PR leader claimed to have no knowledge if a representative has been picked to read Anwar’s speech or the latest status on public demonstrations in support of the 67-year-old Penang lawmaker.

“The PR leadership council will meet on Thursday. If necessary, we’ll discuss it,” the politician told Malay Mail Online on condition of anonymity when asked if a new opposition leader would be chosen for the long-term.

For now, it appears that PR’s next steps hinges on whether a last-ditch attempt by PKR to get Anwar into Parliament succeeds.

PKR’s Parliament Whip Datuk Johari Abdul had in a brief text message told Malay Mail Online yesterday that it would only be known on Tuesday whether Anwar “got chance or not”, indicating that there may yet be a final chance for the Permatang Pauh MP.

The Sungai Petani MP did not elaborate further, but in a statement last night, said he will seek a meeting with the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia for alternative methods to secure Anwar’s participation in Parliament in the immediate future and in the long-run.

For Lim, keeping Anwar the opposition leader had a “strategic, substantive and symbolic value”.

“PR needs to keep Anwar’s incarceration in the public mind as well as remind voters that the coalition is united behind Anwar’s leadership,” he told Malay Mail Online in an email interview.

Doing so works to PR’s advantage, he said, adding “since the Dewan Rakyat speaker has ruled that Anwar can remain in his present political positions until his request for a royal pardon is decided on”.

Lim also said that a PR will not be weakened without a replacement opposition leader, but suggested instead that Anwar may now have more time on his hands to provide a leadership role to PKR, PAS and DAP.

“He is clearly in close communication with leaders from all the three parties and probably has more time for party strategizing than previously when he was a popular speaker on the international circuit,” he said.

Lim cautioned the pact against staging a mass walkout by PR MPs in Parliament, as it would be viewed as a “bad move” by the public.

“We want our elected members to be in Parliament to serve the public interest,” Lim said.

The Dewan Rakyat session will run from today to April 9.