Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's opposition leader on Thursday filed an emergency motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.

Wan Azizah Ismail, who is also the wife of former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim, filed the motion in parliament on behalf of the three- party opposition alliance led by her National Justice Party.

She told reporters later that the opposition would not be seeking a no-confidence vote against Abdullah, adding that the opposition sought to discuss the "worsening situation" in the country.

"We are not hoping for a change in the government but to have our voices heard," she said.

In a statement, Wan Azizah said there was now a "crisis of confidence towards the prime minister and his cabinet."

She said that high prices of fuel, food and basic necessities, an increasing crime rate, as well as a loss of trust in the police force, the attorney general and the judiciary were some of the issues faced by the people.

"This motion is simply to seek a change within the existing (government)," she said.

The motion is yet another public show of rebellion against Abdullah, who has been hit by criticism and calls to step down following the major losses sustained by his ruling coalition during the March 8 elections.

Anwar, who is de facto opposition head, led the opposition alliance to win five states and deny the ruling government its two- thirds majority.

Last month, a party within the ruling coalition threatened to file a no-confidence vote against Abdullah's leadership in parliament.

Although the party has since withdrawn its motion, the move was seen as one of many signs that the embattled premier was facing mounting dissatisfaction from within his own party and coalition. (dpa)