KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi led the 222 MPs to be sworn in before new Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak was next to take his oath, followed by his Cabinet colleagues.

Earlier, Pandikar Amin was appointed Speaker after his name was proposed by Abdullah - the only one nominated for the post.

His appointment, under Article 57 of the Federal Constitution, was seconded by Najib, who is also Barisan whip.

Pandikar Amin, of Kota Belud, Sabah, and a former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department had served as senator and was president of the now defunct Parti Angkatan Keadilan Rakyat (Akar Bersatu). He has been an Umno member since 2002.

He said he was grateful to be given a chance to contribute towards making Malaysia's parliamentary democracy a reality.

'I hope the MPs will extend their cooperation to me as they had to the previous Speaker Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Talib,' Pandikar Amin said.

Opposition MPs took their oaths led by their new leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail (PKR - Permatang Pauh) after Barisan MPs completed their session.

Wheelchair-bound Karpal Singh (DAP - Bukit Gelugor) was sworn in as MP from his special seat at the corner of the first Opposition bloc.

The sitting will be on for 16 days until May 27.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar also tabled a motion urging the police to ensure smooth traffic flow to the Parliament building. The motion was accepted.