KUALA LUMPUR – Putrajaya knew about Langkah Dubai – a bid for a backdoor government to unseat the unity government – as soon as certain individuals got off their flights in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
“We received information that they landed there,” Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said in a press conference in Putrajaya today.
“Whichever ‘langkah’ (move) it was, they have to remember that the anti-hopping laws are in place. Such decisions will require an en bloc decision from the respective parties.”
Zahid, however, did not implicate anyone in the allegation.
“They have tried (to install) a ‘tebuk atap’ (backdoor) government before this.
“What matters is the mandate given to the parties and elected parliamentarians. The unity government has two-thirds majority (in Dewan Rakyat).
“Priority should be on developing the country, economic growth, national stability and equitable wealth for the people – not politicking.”
Zahid added that a change in government should take place during the next general election (GE16).
So far, Deputy Human Resources Minister and Lipis MP Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Mohamad as well as Bera MP and former prime minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob have denied involvement in Langkah Dubai.
Last Friday, Community Communications Department Deputy Director-General Datuk Ismail Yusop claimed that Langkah Dubai was a movement backed by PN and several other influential figures to bring down Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s administration.
He also said that besides PN leaders, former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his right-hand man Tun Daim Zainuddin were in cahoots with the opposition and using “foreign and local sources” to carry out their agenda through the move.
“It looks like Dr M (Mahathir), Daim, PN and their associates are engaging all their resources (from) within and outside the government to bring about (Anwar’s) downfall. They’re going all out (and) are in attack mode.”
The Umno Supreme Council’s Datuk Lokman Noor Adam later told Scoop that Daim, who is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for graft and money laundering, was said to be willing to fork out hundreds of millions of ringgit to “buy over” government MPs.
“There are allegations saying that Daim is willing to spend RM750 million to buy over 15 (government) MPs.
“Daim is with (Dr) Mahathir. Both of them are very desperate. Neither of them want to go to jail or be part of the court cluster,” Lokman said. – January 2, 2024