‘Saya bukan paloi’ — Premier shuts down speculation on involvement in Dubai Move, PM post offer

Abang Johari speaks during a townhall session in conjunction with Premier of Sarawak's 7th anniversary held at Hikmah Exchange, Kuching on Jan 13, 2024.

By Shikin Louis

KUCHING, Jan 13: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg has shut down the purported speculation on his involvement in the Dubai Move, stating that he is not ‘paloi’ (stupid) to be lured into the political mess.

He was referring to various media reports linking his name to the Dubai Move and that the Opposition allegedly intended to offer him the prime minister’s position.

“I know the measurement for the clothes on my body. If this is the size of my clothes, then this is how it should be.

“Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) only has 23 Members of Parliament (MPs). If the Opposition plans to replace the current Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim with me, then with Anwar gone, we are only numbered at 23.

“We wouldn’t stay long in that position and will be toppled. I am not ‘paloi’,” he said during a town hall session in conjunction with the Premier of Sarawak’s 7th anniversary held at Hikmah Exchange here earlier tonight.

Calling the Dubai Move ‘nonsense’, Abang Johari stressed that all politicians should focus on the interest of the citizens and the country instead of playing politics.

Elaborating further, Abang Johari said he even contacted Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan to clarify the rumoured presence of Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) members in Dubai.

“Awang Tengah met me, and he told me that he was in Dubai for a holiday but did not meet the other party.

“Within GPS, we believe that politics should be kept in order. If Anwar is already there (as Prime Minister), let him serve until the end of his term.

“This is because our country is based on democracy, and when an election is held, and such are the results, we should abide by it.

“If we choose to stop it midway, this is what we call ‘tebuk atap’ (backdoor government) and this will create chaos and the victims are the people,” he added.

The Dubai Move referred to an alleged meeting between Malaysian Opposition party leaders and government officials in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to carry out a political coup against Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his government. — DayakDaily