PR seeks Emergency House session

Opposition Leader leader Anwar Ibrahim today said he has sent a letter to Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi asking him to convene an emergency session of the Parliament for an emergency motion to debate on the premier's government.

"I have made a formal request to call for an emergency session in Parliament to debate a motion of no confidence against the leadership of Barisan Nasional not later than Sept 23.

" Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, the Pakatan Rakyat supremo said that the opposition alliance wanted to debate on a motion of no confidence against Abdullah. He wanted the Parliament to be recalled not later than next Tuesday (23/9/08).

Anwar said that the letter was jointly signed by him as PKR leader, PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang and DAP parliament leader Lim Kit Siang.

“The standing orders are quite clear. The PM has the authority to convene an emergency session. All he needs to do is inform the speaker. “We have given the date for the emergency session. It makes no sense for an emergency session to be held next year. We expect the prime minister to respond.”

Pakatan To Decide On Next Move

The opposition leader said that should the prime minister refuses to recall Parliament, Pakatan will have an emergency meeting to discuss its next course of action. Anwar also said that there was no reason why he should be arrested under the draconian Internal Security Act, which allows detention without trial.

“What we want is that MPs, including Teresa Kok, be given the right to attend Parliament on Tuesday,” he said, referring to the opposition MP who was detained under ISA last Friday.

“Politically, economically we are in a crisis, we can’t delay (the takeover). Even for the Pakatan (to rule), it is going to be tough under the current economic situation.

”He accused Abdullah of being in a state of denial. “If he doesn’t believe me, then go to Parliament,” he said.

Anwar reiterated that he has enough defectors to take power.