KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - MALAYSIAN police have put up road blocks in the capital as they brace for protests ahead of a possible debate of no confidence in Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Monday.

The opposition called Friday for the debate after Datuk Seri Abdullah said he would remain in office until 2010 despite his party's drubbing in March elections.

The parliament speaker will decide on Monday whether to allow the debate to go ahead.

Police said several roads leading to the parliament building would be sealed off on Monday and urged people not to protest, although the Keadilan opposition party denied on Sunday it had called for any demonstrations. All police leave has also been cancelled.

'The government is paranoid. We just called our supporters to witness the debate, but authorities think it will be a mass gathering. There is no need for the road blocks,' said Mr Tian Chua, information chief.

Two rebel lawmakers from Mr Abdullah's ruling National Front coalition have vowed to back the opposition debate.

The coalition has ruled Malaysia since independence in 1957 but its popularity has fallen due to political scandals and a recent sharp increase in fuel prices.

In the March polls, the opposition alliance won a record number of 82 seats in the 222-seat lower house of parliament.

Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim - who has said he has the numbers to oust the government with the help of defecting lawmakers - has promised to slash fuel prices if he comes to power.

The opposition alliance needs an additional 30 seats to win a simple majority and form the new government. -- AFP