KUANTAN: A motion of no confidence can be filed against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim anytime, including in the upcoming parliamentary sitting, but there's no guarantee the request will be granted.
Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said to date, he had not received anything official about holding a motion of no confidence against the prime minister.
"So far, I do not see any attempts to put forward the no-confidence motion… no emails, calls or written notice. In order to file the motion, the notice has to be sent to me. Today is Oct 2, I have not received anything.
"The motion 'boleh masuk bila-bila' (can be filed anytime) and depends if the speaker wants to accept it or not. Whether the speaker feels it's appropriate or not...the final decision lies with the speaker.
"If you (member of parliament) want to send it today, no problem, only that it depends if the motion will be granted. The speaker will study if it is possible or not possible. I have not seen anything, so I do not want to assume they will send (file a motion). But I have nothing at the moment," he told reporters after opening the Akademi Menara Gading 2.0 at Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) here today.
Akademi Menara Gading 2.0 is the brainchild of Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Tengku Ampuan Pahang Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, which aims to provide quality education to low-income families.
On Sept 25, Johari said he had not yet received any motion of no confidence against Anwar from any party, including the opposition, for the parliamentary session on Oct 14.
Anwar, in the Himpunan Gerakan Rakyat event on Sept 20, had challenged the opposition to present a motion of confidence in Parliament, saying even if the motion came late, he would approve it.
Johari also advised members of parliament to do their homework and prepare for the debating sessions.
"I feel there are those (members of parliament) who do not study before participating in debates. They must read all those documents and get the facts. Furthermore, they have research officers, so engage their services.
"Lawmakers should not only speak about politics throughout the entire sitting. They need to know when to do politics and when to be a leader who thinks far ahead by speaking about substance and the people whom they represent," he said.
Johari said the third Dewan Rakyat would sit for 35 days until Dec 12, and Anwar is scheduled to table the 2025 Budget on Oct 18.