PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday dismissed the so-called "Dubai Move", saying he had heard of such a movement but that it would have no impact on the unity government.
The prime minister said this was because the government's focus under his leadership remained on developing the nation and looking after the people's wellbeing.
"I have read about the 'Dubai Move' but for me, we are concentrating on our work. Their deception, for me, has no effect.
"What is important is that we have started Jan 2 by launching an important programme for the people," he said, in reference to the launch of the Central Database Hub (Padu).
Anwar said this when asked to comment on the "Dubai Move", a movement said to have been initiated with the aim of toppling the government.
In a separate function earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi revealed that he was informed about the "Dubai Move" as early as the conspirators' flight to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"We received intelligence reports, but we must maintain 'husnuzon' (positive assumptions) in situations like this."
Zahid criticised the move to topple the unity government, describing it as a waste of time, and emphasised that the priority should be on strengthening the economy.
The Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman said the individuals involved must wait until the 16th General Election if they intended to topple the government.
Zahid said any decision made must comply with the anti-party hopping laws enacted in the country and required a significant decision from political parties, not solely based on sworn statements.
However, he refrained from disclosing the names of those involved in the said move.
"As they are well aware, it requires a significant decision from the party, and it involves a decision en bloc.
"God willing, the current government will prioritise strengthening the economy, assisting the people, and continue to demonstrate the stability of the country under the leadership of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister," he said.
When questioned about the motive behind Community Communications Department deputy director (community communications) Datuk Ismail Yusop revealing the move, Zahid merely responded: "Ask him."
On Saturday, Ismail had claimed that opposition members of parliament (MPs) and some MPs linked to the government were orchestrating a plot to bring down the unity government.
He had also claimed that this came about following a visit to Dubai by the MPs, adding that "agents" were actively trying to convince people that by early 2024, the Madani government would collapse, even naming a specific date.
Prior to that, messages about a closed-door meeting involving Perikatan Nasional (PN) MPs and two BN MPs in Dubai went viral on social media.
PN has since rubbished the claims.