Dubai Move: Empty threat to Anwar's coalition - Analyst
SHAH ALAM - Malaysian politics, a never-ending drama, takes another twist with the alleged "Dubai Move."
Rumours swirl of an opposition plot to overthrow the unity government led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Whether the Dubai Move is genuine remains a murky puzzle, but Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed it's not just a fabrication.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor claimed to have enough statutory declarations (SD) to bring down the government.
However, in a recent podcast, Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan considered it just another political tactic, not likely to materialise.
Acknowledging this, O2 Research chief researcher Anis Anwar Suhaimi noted that Shahril outlined clear criteria for assessing the potential of the Dubai Move, focusing on the stance of the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) and the current parliamentary support.
Based on these criteria, Anis stated that GPS's unchanged position and rationality, aligning with the political direction of other parties, strengthen the existing government's stability.
"Dubai Move is one of the political maneuvers used to benefit both sides.
"Discussing it openly also serves as a gauge of public sentiment towards the unity government, indicating whether it still enjoys majority support," he told Sinar yesterday.
Addressing the serious bribery allegations against the King, Anis deemed it a matter that tarnishes the royal institution's credibility, especially when unsubstantiated accusations are thrown into the political rivalry.
He expressed concern about the potential success of the Dubai Move until the end of the Agong's term.
But what about the "Dubai Move's" success?
Anis expressed doubts, citing the current King's commitment to respecting his successor and ensuring a single-term collaboration with the government.
However, several factors could affect the unity government's lifespan, including economic performance, unfulfilled promises to Sabah and Sarawak, and the re-delineation of electoral boundaries.
These, rather than the "Dubai Move," are the true potential threats to its stability.
Political analyst Professor Dr Kartini Aboo Talib@Khalid echoed this sentiment, viewing the "Dubai Move" as a mere smokescreen to divert attention from the government's internal weaknesses.
"Like the podcast "Keluar Sekejap" suggested, it plays the game of doubt and instability, an empty threat masking real issues.
"If it happens, any government change will likely stem from internal deficiencies, not an orchestrated Dubai Move," she said.
