PUTRAJAYA – An aide to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has lodged a police report calling for an investigation into claims that a political plot to topple the Madani government is in the works.
The report was lodged at around 2.30pm today by Anwar’s political secretary, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, who urged police to take action against those behind the move dubbed Langkah Dubai and immediately halt speculations of the government toppling.
When questioned by the media outside the Putrajaya district police station whether the report could be seen as a sign of the Madani administration feeling threatened, Shamsul said that the government cannot let rumours run amok.
“I’ll leave it up to those who want to hold on to that perspective (of the government feeling threatened). However, on the government’s side, of course we want to end this (talks of political moves), as we don’t want to be seen as doing nothing,” he said.
“There are some people saying that the government is panicking and not taking action. I’d like to remind irresponsible parties out there that Malaysia has laws and rules based on the federal constitution.
“We have gone through various episodes (of overthrown governments), and the Anti-Party Hopping Act is meant to put an end to those,” Shamsul added.
Labelling controversial blogger Raja Petra Kamaruddin as the individual who had first brought to light Langkah Dubai, Shamsul said that those behind the plot are contravening Sections 124B and 124C of the Penal Code on activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
“I’m confident that this move was started by several MPs, including irresponsible opposition leaders. Their acts are a threat to parliamentary democracy and can incite public disorder.
“Any attempt to create political instability that can affect national security must be stopped,” Shamsul said.
While Shamsul did not name any politician in his report, he said that police should consider the matter to be of importance as 12 other reports on the issue have been lodged nationwide by PKR Youth representatives.
“When we first heard the news (on Langkah Dubai) last year, we questioned whether or not it was legit. But, once it gained traction on social media and influenced the rakyat’s perceptions, I thought that it must be stopped.
“Hopefully, with the tens of police reports lodged, authorities will look into the matter,” he added.
Outside the police headquarters, a crowd of supporters, including Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said’s political secretary, Datuk Suraya Yaacob and Community Communications Department Deputy Director-General Datuk Ismail Yusop, had gathered.
Last month, in a Facebook post, Ismail said that Langkah Dubai was engineered by Perikatan Nasional (PN) figures as well as former two-time prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his right-hand man Tun Daim Zainuddin, who is currently being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.
Yesterday, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who is also PN election director, claimed the opposition coalition has already obtained sufficient statutory declarations (SD) to overthrow the federal unity government.
However, he did not provide further details on the matter, including the number of SDs obtained.
This is despite the fact that PN denied a statement claiming that the Yang di-Pertuan Agong has agreed to grant an audience to 118 MPs. – January 8, 2024