A coup in Malaysia? ‘Nothing is impossible’, says minister

Federal Territories Minister Khalid Samad said Malaysia cannot discount the possibility that a coup d'ètat can take place in the country if the Malays are “sufficiently influenced” to believe their position is in danger.

“Nothing is impossible.

“(This is) especially so as 70 percent of the population are Malays and if they are sufficiently influenced to believe that the position of Malays is in danger. As you know, the police and military are also fundamentally Malay-based institutions.

“So that is why it is very important for us to handle this issue with care," he told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

Khalid, who is also Shah Alam MP, said this when asked on the possibility of a coup taking place in Malaysia following allegations of a possible move to overthrow the Pakatan Harapan-elected government of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He further said that Malaysia must take extra care as it is more racially-diverse than other countries.

“Even in a society like Egypt, the issue of racial diversity does not exist, but the sense of insecurity and uncertainty with the emergence of a new government after a democratic election, had been capitalised by the deep state.

“So they, by right, should be considered as less susceptible (to coups), but even in their situation this (coup) could occur; so in our position, we must be more careful,” he said.

A deep state refers to a 'state within a state' pursuing its own agenda outside of the national political leadership.

However, Khalid said the fact that Malaysia was withdrawing from the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) did not mean the country wished to undertake serious crimes against humanity such as genocide.

“[...] but we know that because the royal institution was also dragged in (over the Rome Statute), we have to handle the issue with care,” he said.

On whether the government may consider signing the statute again in the future, Khalid said that would depend on public understanding of the issue.

“I think when everyone understands and is confident with it, including the royals, then, of course, there will be no possible exploitation of the issue for the sake of certain political leaders.”

Malaysia signed the documents to accede to the Rome Statute early last month.

The Rome Statute, adopted by more than 100 countries, establishes the ICC which tries four core international crimes - genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crime of aggression.

However, members of the Johor royal household expressed unhappiness over the matter.

Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim claimed that the government failed to consult the Conference of Rulers beforehand, while his father, Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar, said ratifying the treaty would affect the rulers, Malay rights and the sanctity of Islam in Malaysia.

Last Friday, Mahathir announced the government’s withdrawal from the statute, claiming that the people had been “‘misled”.

The premier also claimed there was an attempt to smear the government's name and to engage the royalty to sign an order against him - a move which may have involved some members of royalty.

Several ministers also warned of a plot to overthrow Mahathir, including Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah and Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman. - Mkini