Asian Angle | Malaysia’s ‘Dubai Move’ may have been a mirage, but no political detente is in sight
- Many had hoped PM Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government that took office following the 2022 election could usher in a less hostile politics from all sides
- But an alleged plot to oust him indicates a lack of appetite for stability after years of tumult and keep finding ways to undermine people’s mandate
There were just enough tantalising details to get the political news junkies excited. Clandestine gatherings. Scheming conversations. Monarchical interventions. Politicians on holiday. Oh, the scandal.
Yet, nobody knows how much of this was true. It’s unclear exactly who was supposed to have been in Dubai, whether they actually met and if so, what the contents of their discussions were. It is equally ambiguous why, if any scheming by a handful of political elites was indeed happening, it could not happen at any time in Malaysia? Nor is it clear why the king would countenance such overtures to begin with.
The current parliamentary arithmetic also makes ousting the government extremely improbable, as the numbers simply do not stack up. In recent months, five opposition MPs have crossed over, in all but name, and openly declared support for Anwar. On paper at least, the government now has the backing of more than two-thirds of parliamentarians. Some may be reluctant, disgruntled or reflecting on their party position. But however caveated, the support of more than 150 out of 222 MPs must surely count for something.
This is especially true since the leadership of every party in government remains in Anwar’s corner, with no apparent incentive for change. The top brass of Umno, led by the deputy prime minister, has pretty much staked every ounce of personal and party reputation on the altar of Anwar. No question of loyalty there.
The relationship with Sarawak state’s GPS may be less of a love-in but the party is comfortable in this arrangement and understandably uninterested in rocking the boat while it extracts concessions from the federal government. Sabah-based parties that back Anwar’s administration have deep misgivings about the opposition. In any event, they also have too few MPs to instigate anything consequential on their own.