PAS president Fadzil Noor was chosen by the Barisan Alternatif this afternoon to act as the new parliamentary opposition leader. He replaced DAP's Lim Kit Siang who had been the Opposition leader since 1975.

The decision was announced by PRM president Syed Husin Ali after a three-hour BA meeting. Syed Husin said that the appointment of Fadzil as Opposition leader was proposed by DAP and supported by KeADILan.

According to political commentator Ahmad Lufti Othman, the presence of a Malay opposition leader would put a stop on racial sentiments being used against the political opposition during parliamentary debate.

An example, he said, was the Bumiputra Malaysia Finance (BMF) scandal, where Lim was accused by some of the Umno MPs for questioning the credibility of Malay management, when the real issue was about integrity and transparency.

"Such racial sentiments can no longer be exploited with the appointment of a Malay opposition leader," he said.

He did not expect Fadzil to go too far in highlighting Islamic policies.

"PAS has to be realistic -- they need non-Muslims' support. Fadzil must bring a new approach to PAS' politics and to change the people's wrong perception of the party," added Lufti.

Fadzil, considered as a moderate leader, has been PAS president since 1989. A novice in Parliament, he won his first parliamentary seat only in the last elections.

DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang expressed worry that the focus of the parliamentary debate would now shift to Islamic policies. However, he added that it was not appropriate for him to advise Fadzil on his role as Opposition leader.

Former deputy speaker in Parliament, Ong Tee Kiat, when contacted by malaysiakini for his reaction, said, "It is too early to comment on the performance of any particular person."

Yesterday, Lim called on the government to accord the Opposition leader ministerial status. He argued that the allowance paid to the Opposition leader should be the same as a cabinet minister and that the person be given the facilities and privileges enjoyed by a cabinet minister.