Malaysia

Anwar calls for emergency no-confidence vote

Article published on the 2008-09-18 Latest update 2008-09-18 14:47 TU

Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur.
(Photo: Reuters)

Malaysia’s opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim called for an emergency session of parliament Thursday in order to hold a vote of no-confidence in the Prime Minister.

Anwar has promised that he has enough support to topple Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, but said he would only reveal the identities of government defectors at the session itself.

“Today, the Pakatan Rakyat (opposition coalition) leaders have submitted a letter to the PM requesting him to call an emergency session of parliament to deliberate a motion of censure against the leadership of Adullah Ahmad Badawi,” Anwar said.

However, Anwar’s request for an emergency session to be held before 23 September has to be approved by the Speaker of the House, who is not obliged to do so, said Tricia Yeoh, an analyst at the Asia Strategy and Leadership Institute in Kuala Lumpur.

"If the speaker can observe ... there are sufficient numbers of the government wanting to cross over... Then the speaker would have to agree to discussing that no-confidence motion", Yeoh told RFI.

This puts Anwar in a tricky position, as the dissenting government MPs don't want to be identified for fear of being prosecuted.

Prime Minister Abdullah is also hostile to the request. “I don’t see a need for it. Parliament will sit soon after Ramadan,” Abdullah told reporters Thursday. If the request is rejected, parliament will not convene until 13 October.

Anwar needs the support of 30 government MPs in order to take control of Malaysia’s 222-seat parliament.

Pressure for Abdullah to step down is building after his ruling coalition suffered a heavy defeat in elections on 8 March. The Barisan National ruling coalition has been in power since Malaysia’s independence from Britain 51 years ago.

Anwar has threatened recourse to Malaysia’s King if Abdullah refuses to face the rebellion.