Any attempts to topple Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's administration are expected to come to a halt in February after the Johor sultan becomes the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
Universiti Malaya political analyst Abdul Muqit Muhammad opined that political parties would be "realistic" with their political manoeuvring after the failure of the latest plot dubbed the Dubai Move.
"I think after the failure of the Dubai Move, politicians and parties will be more realistic and cautious about making similar moves, especially when we have a king from Johor.
"We have already seen statements from Johor ruler Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar calling for political stability, and against those causing political uncertainty.
"This does not mean that His Highness is interfering in the country's political affairs, but these are neutral statements which would impact opposition leaders hoping to unseat the government," Muqit told KiniTV in an interview.
The academic said that the Dubai Move failed because Perikatan Nasional kept playing the same propaganda.
The coalition, he said, should instead just wait for the next general election to show the administration the way out.
"If Pakatan Harapan or the unity government has failed to serve the rakyat, wait until the next general election (to unseat them), as it is the best way to choose a leader or a government.
"Otherwise, we will be repeating the same old mistakes and keep regressing," he added.
The Dubai Move was a plot to overthrow the government allegedly involving PN leaders and government backbenchers which arose during their recent vacation to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently confirmed that the scheme was real, saying that the government received intelligence reports on the plot.
Anwar brushed off concerns regarding the plot, stating that the government should instead focus on carrying out its duty to the people.
Yesterday, Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor also confirmed the existence of a plot by the opposition to topple the government.
However, instead of it being labelled the Dubai Move - as the meeting had allegedly taken place in Dubai - he called it the “Chow Kit Move” as he claimed discussions were held in Kuala Lumpur instead.
‘Coffee shop talk’
Another academician Awang Azman Awang Pawi of Universiti Malaya likened the plot to "coffee shop talk".
He said this month's main focus is the transition to the new Agong and not the changing of government.
"The government's main focus is ensuring the royal transition proceeds smoothly.
"The plan (Dubai Move), to me, was mere coffee shop talk. It was a big idea, with big planning, but fell short on execution," Awang Azman said.
The opposition has to realise the process and hurdles they have to go through in changing a ruling government, he noted.
Besides the polls, the process has to go through Parliament, such as through a vote of no-confidence, he added.
"Secondly, there is the anti-hopping law in place now, and Umno also has a contract with each of its MP that whoever defects has to pay RM100 million," Awang Azman pointed out.
This is a huge amount and no elected representative would show that he or she has that kind of money just for the sake of defecting, the academic said.
Moreover, there are chances a defector would ruin their political future after the act, he added.
Umno behind plot?
Political analyst-cum-geostrategist Azmi Hassan said the Dubai Move was orchestrated by Umno leaders who are against the party leadership.
"It is an illogical step, at a time when Bersatu MPs themselves are not supporting the party.
“We can't say PAS initiated the move, as the party would not trigger anything in changing the federal government.
"From my observation, the move was started by Umno members who are not in favour of the party leadership," he told Malaysiakini. - Mkini
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