'Dubai Move' a delusional dream, says Ahmad Maslan

PETALING JAYA: The so-called “Dubai Move”, an alleged new plot to topple Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his government is just a delusional dream, says Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan.

The Umno supreme council member said he doubted if any MP from the party or Barisan Nasional would even consider jumping ship given they were bound by a costly agreement should they cross over.

“Dubai Move? That is just a mirage. For the 30 Umno and Barisan MPs, we have signed (an agreement) that we will have to pay RM100mil each if we want to hop.

“Which MP has that kind of money? Even if all 30 leave, the government will still remain with 122 support. 147 plus five minus 30. Rakyat wants stability and a strong economy,” he wrote on his X account (formerly Twitter).

On Saturday (Dec 30), Community Communications Department deputy director-general Datuk Ismail Yusop claimed that the plot was organised by Perikatan Nasional leaders and government backbenchers who are vacationing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

According to Ismail, a meeting took place during the visit to assign specific tasks to “agents” responsible for identifying MPs who may want to switch their support to the opposition.

"It has become public knowledge in the past day or two about the Dubai holiday by Perikatan leaders. Followed by the presence of several other leaders associated with groups dissatisfied with Anwar’s leadership style and the Madani government.

“It is rumoured that the 'Dubai Move' was formulated with assignments given to a person in charge tasked to meet, negotiate and make offers to those identified as potential supporters who may switch to the opposition.

“It is said that there are spokespersons with access to the leadership on the opposition side, who are roaming throughout the country, including in Sabah and Sarawak, trying to convince that the Madani government will collapse in early 2024, with a date and deadline given,” Ismail said, according to a report by Berita Harian.

Ismail also claimed that he had received the information from multiple sources and described the alleged attempt to overthrow the government as “treason”.