KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia's opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim Thursday called for an emergency session of parliament to hold a no-confidence vote against the prime minister.

Anwar promised to use the sitting to prove his claim he has the support of enough government defectors to topple Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's Barisan Nasional ruling coalition.

'Today, the Pakatan Rakyat (opposition alliance) leaders have submitted a letter to the PM requesting him to call an emergency session of parliament to deliberate a motion of censure against the leadership of Abdullah Ahmad Badawi,' he said.

Anwar said he would name the defectors at the session, which he hoped would be held no later than September 23.

'Convene an emergency session and you will see in parliament,' he said, adding that 'it is critical for the prime minister to respond.'

'We face a major economic crisis. It is pertinent that they think of the nation and not the interest of themselves.'

Anwar needs the support of 30 government lawmakers to take control of the 222-seat parliament.

He stepped up the pressure on Abdullah a day after the small National Front party on Borneo island quit the ruling coalition, and the prime minister indicated he may step down earlier than planned.

Anwar said that if Abdullah fails to convene the emergency session, he may meet the King Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin to stake his claim to government.

'I am not discounting the possibility,' he said. -- AFP