Malaysian Prime Minister Ahmad Abdullah Badawi won parliament backing on Monday for a government decision to sharply raise fuel prices, despite mounting public calls to quit over the measure. Deputies of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition closed ranks behind Abdullah as an opposition bid to turn a parliament debate on inflation into a no-confidence vote fell through.
A government motion on price increases was approved with 129 lawmakers voting for it and 78 lawmakers opposing it, giving a temporary respite to the premier who is also battling a challenge to his leadership from within his own party.
"They want to turn this into a motion of no confidence against the PM," parliamentary affairs minister Nazri Aziz told reporters. Rising prices have become a thorn in the government's side, with worries that growing public frustration might spill over into massive protests that could drive Abdullah from office. Protests have been scattered and limited so far.
Abdullah had earlier on Monday avoided a no-confidence vote when the Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP), a small party proposing the motion, did not give enough notice in parliament. Parliamentary rules require a motion to be submitted to the speaker of parliament 14 days before being introduced.
The government raised petrol prices by 41 percent this month and diesel prices by 63 percent as part of a broad energy policy aimed at reducing subsidies as global oil prices soar. The increases come on top of rising food-price inflation, driven largely by record-high commodity prices.