newsdesk@thesundaily.com
KUALA LUMPUR (July 10, 2008) : Parliamentary Opposition leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail today submitted an urgent motion of "no-confidence" in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, on behalf of the Pakatan Rakyat (PR) MPs.
Wan Azizah said she submited the motion to the Speaker today under Standing Order Article 18(1) and (2) requesting a debate without the need of voting.
Parliamentary opposition leader Datin Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan
Ismail leading a group of Pakatan Rakyat MPs to submit a motion of
no confidence against the prime minister to Speaker
Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia waiting for approval in 24 hours.
In a press conference at the parliament lobby later, she said the narrow victory of Barisan Nasional in the March general election, the sudden fuel price hike, the marginalisation of PR-led states and the alleged oppression of BN MPs to voice up, had led to the confidence crisis against the prime minister.
"The people are facing several massive crisis as the fuel, food and essential good prices are increasingly burdening them.
"The people's confidence is now fretted because of the worsening situation in the police, attorney-general, judiciary body, the crime rate and corruption.
"Therefore, we are confident that the motion should be debated in the House," she said.
Asked why PR decided to submit the motion now as it was reported that PR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will not move such a motion against Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Wan Azizah said when Anwar said it, the situation was not that bad.
"The motion submitted is meant for us to discuss about what is happening now (in the country)." she added.
Asked what would be the impact of the motion which does not require a voting, Wan Azizah said the move is to show that the PR is doing something within the parliamentary procedure available, for the people voted for PR.
Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timur) said he hoped the motion can be approved on Monday as it will be a gauge to see whether the confidence level of BN has deteriorated.
In a separate press conference later, Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia he will only make an announcement on the motion on Monday after the routine question and answer session.
"I need to rest, and I will thoroughly go through the motion over the weekend," he said.
Asked on what grounds would be given if he were to reject the motion, Pandikar Amin said: "You will know on Monday."
To another question, he said he was a retired politician, so reporters should not ask him as to the kind of impact the motion will create.
This would be the second time in a month that the prime minister is facing a "no confidence" threat in Parliament.
Abdullah almost faced a no-confidence motion from within the Barisan Nasional when a component party - the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) -- planned to table such a motion last month.
SAPP party president, Datuk Seri Yong Teck Lee had announced the plan to table the no confidence motion but it was not submitted as two SAPP MPs - Datuk Dr Chua Soon Bui (Tawau) and Datuk Eric Majimbun (Sepanggar) decided not to attend Parliament because they claimed to have faced threats to their personal safety.
No comments:
Post a Comment