Opposition submits no-confidence motion

Opposition submits no-confidence motion

Dr Wan Azizah, together with Opposition top brass, speaks to the press after filing the motion. —
By Shannon Teoh

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 — Opposition leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, together with a clutch of Opposition top brass including DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang and PAS secretary-general Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar, submitted an emergency motion of no-confidence in the Prime Minister and his Cabinet today.

She filed the application under Standing Order 18 (1) and (2), which allows for a debate but no vote will be taken. It also gives the Speaker 24 hours’ notice to decide on whether it will be tabled.

"Since Anwar (Ibrahim) first said we will not move for a motion of no confidence, things have worsened," she said to explain the timing of the move.

Dr Wan Azizah also cited "crises like the high price of fuel, food and basic needs, the erosion of faith in the police, Attorney-General and judiciary, increase in crime and corruption" as additional reasons.

Dr Wan Azizah, at an earlier press conference, acknowledged that the Opposition was aware that no vote will be taken and admitted that it was unlikely that this would lead to a change of government but maintained that there are steps that must be taken to achieve change.

"Within this state of democracy that we have, we don't want bloodshed or violence, so this is a way to institute change. This shows that we are doing what we can within the procedures to speak for the people who voted for us and those on the other side of the House who dare not speak."

Lim said the debate will nonetheless "give us the opportunity to gauge as to whether the level of confidence has deteriorated or otherwise."

Kamaruddin called it part of an effort that will continue for as long as the people are suffering under a weak government.

However, as Parliament only resumes on Monday, Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said he would "go back first this weekend to my kampung in Sabah and look at my buffaloes and goats and think about it deeply" before deciding on one of several courses of action.

"You will hear the decision on Monday. The bridge is still 4 kilometres away'," he said, referring to the number of days before he would announce his decision whether to reject the motion in his chamber, in the House or to allow it to be tabled after Question Time on Monday as provided for under the Standing Orders.

He, however, hinted that it may not be tabled. "How can you approve a resolution if there is no vote? Read between the lines, exercise that mind," he told reporters.

While he refused to comment on possible grounds of rejection, Standing Order 18 requires that the motion be of a definite matter of urgent public importance. The application was worded as a "resolution of no confidence towards the leadership of the Prime Minister of Malaysia and his Cabinet in the administration of the country due to an erosion in the belief of the people in the government's integrity."

Pandikar Amin can reject the tabling of the motion if it is either not specific, not urgent or not a matter of public importance. He, however, did confirm that there can be no call to vote under Standing Order 18, which only allows for an hour's debate on an emergency motion.

He said his decision would be made autonomously: "I am not under any pressure. Why would I be under pressure? Don't worry, I will exercise my power within the permitted Standing Order. I am not a politician."

With Umno top brass meeting the PM at the time, MCA's Health Minister Datuk Liow Tiong Lai was one of the most senior members of Cabinet left in Parliament. When asked to comment on the motion, he said:

"This is a political move that will continue to destabilise the country. This is not the wish of the people. They want all elected representatives to work together to overcome challenges like the global rise in fuel prices. I think the people are all fed-up with the Opposition's continuous attempts to overthrow the government.

"This only creates the perception to the outside world that we are politically unstable. But this is not true. Pak Lah's administraton is stable. If the Opposition is unsatisfied, they can come back in 5 years’ time in the next election. They must respect the decision of the people in the election."