Wednesday June 18, 2008 MYT 4:31:17 PM

Nazri: No-confidence vote cannot be tabled on Monday

By SHAHANAAZ HABIB

KUALA LUMPUR: The vote of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi cannot be tabled on Monday as this has to be done in accordance with the Standing Orders of the Dewan Rakyat, said Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.

The Minister in the Prime Minister's Department who is in charge of Parliament said that under Standing Orders rule 27, a notice for any motion had to be given in writing 14 days in advance.

"So far, no such motion has been given as yet," he said when contacted.

Alternatively, Nazri said the vote of no confidence could be tabled through an emergency motion under Standing Orders rule 18(1).

He said this however had to fulfil three criteria -- it has to be a definite matter, urgent and of public interest.

In such a case, he said, it required only a day's notice.

"It would be up to the Speaker to decide whether to allow it or not. The Speaker wields a lot of power," he said.