Speaker: If Budget defeated, that’s a no confidence move

Pandikar wants to see the list of MPs before pushing for debate on the no confidence motion in Parliament.

KUALA LUMPUR: Speaker Pandikar Amin Mulia has conceded that if the majority of the MPs don’t agree with Budget 2016, that’s tantamount to a vote of no confidence (in Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak).

Pandikar went on to claim implicitly, the no confidence motion notwithstanding, that government affairs must take precedence in Parliament. “According to Standing Order 15, it clearly states that government affairs must be prioritized.”

He was complaining about not being provided with a list of Opposition MPs, as he had requested, to determine whether a majority of them would support a no confidence motion in Parliament. “Till now, I am waiting for the list of Opposition members on my table,” said Pandikar. “I know that they have only 89 MPs supporting the motion so far.”

The motion can only be taken seriously, added the Speaker, if the Opposition MPs have enough numbers on their side. “Maybe they have 90 or 100 MPs now, but only if they provide me the list.”

“Then only I can push for a debate in Parliament.”

He claimed that PAS not being in Pakatan was the real problem. “PAS has 16 seats. The other Opposition MPs number 72.”