(Oct 21): The opposition should show the "numbers" it has to push through a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak so that the Dewan Rakyat can pressure the government to debate it, speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia said today.

"Until now, they only have 89 MPs. They need to show me the numbers, maybe they have 90 people (to vote), or maybe 100, then I can pressure the government to debate the motion," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby.

He said that whether a no-confidence motion can be taken seriously hinges on whether the opposition have gathered enough lawmakers to vote for the motion.

"It all depends on the numbers, the majority. If they have 100, how many other MPs are left?" he asked.

He said there are concerns because PAS is not part of a formal Pakatan Harapan coalition so their participation in such a motion is "questionable".

Opposition parties, currently, have 88 members in the 222-seat chamber.

The newly-formed Pakatan Harapan opposition pact counts 72 MPs among its ranks, with PAS holding the remaining 16 seats.

Pandikar said that even though a no-confidence motion is filed, under Standing Order 15, he, as speaker, needs to give priority to government affairs.

"Government affairs come first. That's why I don't know why this is being made an issue," he said.

"This is not the only option. If they vote down the Budget, that could translate into no confidence as well," he added.

Pakatan Harapan is yet to file its no-confidence motion even though opposition leader Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said she would file the motion at an unspecified time in the near future.

Prior to the start of the current meeting, Dr Wan Azizah’s party member, the Petaling Jaya Selatan MP Hee Loy Sian had submitted a notice to the Dewan Rakyat for the motion to be tabled. The motion is the 25th item in the order paper.

However, he was instructed to withdraw the motion after the DAP felt  that a motion of such importance should be tabled by the leader of the opposition  Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. – The Malaysian Insider