Anticipating trouble from Pakatan Rakyat representatives at the upcoming sitting of the Perak legislative assembly, the BN government will beef up security to ensure smooth passage of the 2010 budget.

BN-appointed speaker R Ganesan ( below ) told Malaysiakini that the sergeant-at-arms may not be able to deal with the situation alone when the three-day sitting begins on Oct 28.

As such, he said additional security personal will be present to prevent any disruption. He also did not discount the possibility of police being present in the House "if things get out of hand".

The state budget will be tabled by Menteri Besar Zambry Abdul Kadir. Also on the agenda are proposed amendments to the State Agama Islam Admistration (Perak) Act and the College Islam Darul Ridzwan Act.

r ganesan 130509 BN holds a slim majority in the assembly, with 31 representatives against Pakatan's 28. The last time both sides met in the House, the proceedings quickly turned chaotic .

Rumblings of discontent have already begun this time around, with Pakatan claiming that two weeks' notice should have been given for debate on the budget.

Another complaint is that a draft copy of the budget was not attached to the notice calling for the sitting.

Ganesan disputed Pakatan's version of the procedure: "It is not so. After the menteri besar reads the budget (speech), copies of the budget (will) be given to all 59 assembly(persons). I know the law.

"Does Parliament give out a draft copy of the national budget two weeks in advance, before (it is tabled) by (Finance Minister) Najib (Abdul Razak)?"

Another grouse is that Pakatan representatives have not been given sufficient time to prepare oral and written questions and motions for debate.

"I have stated in the notice that they can fax or email the questions to my staff," said Ganesan.

"Anyway they have been assembly(persons) for the past 10 months. So they can easily prepare (a list of) the shortcomings in their constituencies and notify us during the assembly sitting."

Sivakumar facing arrest?

On speculation in the media that ousted Pakatan speaker V Sivkumar may be arrested on Oct 28, Ganesan would only say this "is between the police and him (Sivakumar)".

However, he conceded that he has lodged three police reports to date, alleging that Sivakumar had impersonated the speaker and that he had misused official stationery of the speaker's office.

"I shall take all measures within the law to ensure that the respect and dignity of the House are not tarnished by people whose aim is to disturb the sitting," he said.

mohammad nizar jamaluddin Ousted Pakatan menteri besar Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin ( right ) had told a press conference last week at state PAS headquarters that the police should also arrest Ganesan, if they intend to arrest Sivakumar.

Last week, Titi Serong assemblyperson Khalil Idham Lim Abdullah had lodged a police report claiming that Ganesan is not the lawful speaker.

Ganesan retorted: "I, as the (lawful) speaker, obtained the consent of his Majesty the Sultan of Perak to conduct the sitting on Oct 28. It is Sivakumar who is the (unlawful) speaker. He can (attend) the (sitting) as assembly(person) for Tronoh, but not as the speaker."

Pressed as to the type of action he will take to prevent Sivakumar from assuming the speaker's chair, Ganesan said the matter would be handled according to provisions of the state constitution and Standing Orders of the legislative assembly.

He also criticised Sivakumar for not returning the Speaker's robe despite being asked by the State Secretary's office.

He said assembly secretary Zamari Mohd Ramli had lodged a police report against Sivakumar. It was made at Sungai Senam police station yesterday.

"The office equipment was removed without permission, meaning it was stolen. For a responsible state assemblyman, this is not proper. You are not the Speaker anymore," he added.