PRIME Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim senior political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin suggested that if the rumoured opposition’s plan for a Dubai Move is accurate, there may be an indication of bribery involving MPs. He recommended that such allegations be thoroughly investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).“This matter needs to be stopped because this seems like an attempt to cause anxiety to the community and to overthrow the government when we have a very sufficient number (of MPs) and all the party leaders in the components are still with the unity government.“Enough is enough, throughout the period from 2018 to 2022 there have been changes in government after government that did not benefit the country,” Malay daily Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.On the other hand, he said efforts made by opposition leaders to change the government through the Dubai Move are just an illusion and wishful thinking.Shamsul added that there is absolutely no basis for a change of government and that Anwar leads the unity government with the support of more than two-thirds in Parliament.He pointed out that Anwar did bring a motion of confidence to the Parliament in December last year, and he won the vote.“The first step the PM took at that time was to bring it to Parliament to test his legitimacy as PM. At that time, no opposition stood up.”Moreover, Shamsul also noted the statement by Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg gave assurances that they support Anwar, and it is the same with GRS, dismissing claims 120 MPs signed SDs (statutory declarations) showing they do not support Anwar as PM.Meanwhile, UMNO supreme council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam has debunked controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin’s claims that the opposition has garnered 120 SDs against Anwar.He gave six reasons to debunk Raja Petra’s claim. One of them is that RPK – as he is commonly known – is confused about who will be the PM candidate for the PN.First, he said it was Foreign Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Mohammad Hassan who had the support of the majority of the MPs to lead the government.But soon, he revised his statement saying three names were sent to the Palace as future PMs, namely Sembrong MP Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Onn, Terengganu Menteri Besar Dr Samsuri Mokhtar and former premier Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.Furthermore, Lokman also stated that out of the 120 SDs there is a need to subtract 23 from the GPS because almost all MPs and GPS leaders have repeatedly refused to leave the Madani government, leaving the opposition with 97 MPs on paper.One key point raised by Lokman is that the PN has always hesitated to bring a motion of no confidence against Anwar in Parliament and this time around, it appears they will not do so once again. – Jan 6, 2023
Main photo credit: Berita Harian
