Loyal MPs rally behind Malaysia PM after no-confidence move - AFP

Loyal lawmakers rallied behind Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi at an emergency meeting Thursday following a call for a no-confidence vote against the premier from within his coalition.

"Nobody (in the coalition) supports this motion. Everyone have rejected this and what has taken place is against the spirit of unity within the coalition.

"This is a collective decision of the Barisan Nasional supreme council," he told reporters after chairing a special meeting of top leaders from 13 of the 14 parties in the Barisan Nasional coalition.

Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) president Yong Teck Lee made the unprecedented no-confidence call on Wednesday in a serious blow to Abdullah, who has faced pressure to quit since disastrous general elections in March. The SAPP did not attend the gathering.

Abdullah said he would continue to lead the government despite the attempt to topple him.

"I cannot afford to be distracted by issues that keep coming up. I have to be focused with what I have to do. When things like this happen, we have to deal with it," he said.

Abdullah, who is also finance minister, said he would ensure the economy remained stable despite rising political uncertainties over his leadership.

[More at http://news.my.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1493336]