Public urged to remain calm over ‘Dubai Plan’

10 January 2024

Oleh Wartawan Nabalu News

KOTA KINABALU: The public is urged to remain calm as police are already conducting investigations into those who may be involved in the alleged ‘Dubai Plan’ movement.

The movement is an alleged attempt by some opposition MPs to overthrow the government. It was exposed by Malaysian blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin via several video presentations that were circulated on social media, recently.

UPKO treasurer-general, Dennison R. Indang said although the movement may have caused some unrest it is important that the public remain calm to allow police to carry out investigations.

“It is understandable that the public may be anxious. The video presentations do lead people to believe that the movement could succeed at any moment to overthrow the government.

“And from a public person’s perspective it is understandable that there may be concerns and distress, as a change of government mid-way through administration would undoubtedly disrupt any momentum of recovery or progress made to our economy.

“It would certainly be a setback for the entire country to have to start everything (recovery efforts) again if the so-called ‘Dubai Plan’ movement actually comes into reality, and everyone including the man on the street, would be affected,” Dennison said in a statement here today (Wednesday).

However, he said it is important at this point to understand that Malaysia is a parliamentary democracy and a constitutional monarchy in which the king/Yang di-Pertuan Agong plays a largely ceremonial role, but has certain discretionary powers.

Dennison said, for the movement to succeed, the opposition MPs (allegedly involved in the ‘Dubai Plan’ movement) would have to seek audience with the king because only he has the power to receive any compilation of statutory of declaration letters (as alleged by Raja Petra) for a show of no confidence against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

“But because the Agong has already clearly stated that he would not get involved or interfere in any political manoeuvring and the Sultan of Johor (incoming Agong) also stated he would not receive any unscheduled call until the installation ceremony on January 31, nothing can come into fruition with regard to this so-called ‘Dubai Plan’ movement. Hence, there is time to neutralise the threat by bringing those involved to justice.

“We must also remember that this movement is not only disruptive to the parliamentary democratic system but also in violation of the Anti-Party Hopping Act, which prohibits any attempt to change the Prime Minister or the government midway through administration. Thereforeby, rest assure action will be taken by the relevant authorities on those involved in the movement,” he said.

“It would therefore be advisable at this point for the public to just remain calm and patient and put their trust into the system to allow the Royal Malaysian Police to conduct thorough investigations. We have a just system, and I believe integrity will prevail to uphold the law and that this attempt to create political instability that can threaten the security of this country will ultimately be thwarted,” Dennison said.

Towards this end, Dennison lauded Carl Moosom the Political Secretary to the Penampang MP Datuk Ewon Benedick for taking immediate action by filing a police report.

“I was informed that Carl is one of only a handful of people in Sabah who actually filed a police report, although I believe more have followed suit.

“This is a serious matter...we are talking about an attempt to destabilise the country and going against existing laws. His police report is a favour to us all and I laud him for taking affirmative action,” Dennison said.

Carl filed a police report on Monday following coordinated efforts led by the Prime Minister's Political Secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin who also made a police report the same day.

Shamsul filed his police report at IPD Putrajaya regarding the ‘Dubai Move’. The same report was also made simultaneously in 12 states, namely Johor, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Penang, Perak, Kedah, Perlis, Pahang, Kuala Lumpur, Sabah and Sarawak.

Shamsul said the Anti-Party Jumping Act that has been enacted should be the end of any effort to change the government and that any dissatisfaction can be brought to Parliament.