PN does not need to 'shop' for MPs, says Hadi on Dubai Move

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today said that his party and Perikatan Nasional need not rely on “shopping culture”, using money and promises to entice MPs to its fold as they believe in democratic ideals.

Taking to Facebook, he also said that any moves to overthrow the government must have come from parties that have money - alluding to the government’s massive resources.

“The government controls money and can influence those who seek projects to generate funds in the easiest way.

“As for the opposition, our rightful allocations have been blocked, with (party) funds getting frozen and confiscated.

“And those who support the opposition are subjected to restrictions and face difficulties because they are considered a threat to the government,” Hadi said.

The Marang MP was referring to the Dubai Move, a plot that Community Communications Department (J-Kom) deputy director-general Ismail Yusop claimed last Saturday was meant to topple the federal government.

Ismail said the plan arose during a recent vacation by PN leaders, as well as government backbenchers, to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Ismail also claimed a meeting took place during the visit to assign specific tasks to “agents” responsible for identifying MPs who might switch their support to the opposition with inducements.

On Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi confirmed the Dubai Move, alleging the movement not only involved PN leaders but certain individuals from the government bloc as well.

Opposition denies move but…

PN leaders have since denied the plot, despite Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor confirming it.

Sanusi alleged that the meeting had occurred in Kuala Lumpur and not Dubai, dubbing it the “Chow Kit Move” instead.

However, Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal dismissed Sanusi’s remarks, saying the latter was just “teasing”.

Meanwhile, Hadi said PAS would only respect changes in government via the democratic process while respecting the constitutional monarchy.

“In a democracy, changes happen through election, when enough number of elected leaders support a vote of no confidence, or by signing statutory declarations.

“This comes with majority support - without force or being bribed using positions or money.

“That is why we backed out of street demonstrations years back as it was negatively impacting the people and we rely on public donation,” he added.

On Oct 22, 2022, Hadi said he was the one who initiated the move to oust the Pakatan Harapan government after the administration tried unsuccessfully to ratify the Rome Statute and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

He described the attempt to ratify the two conventions as proof that some of the Harapan component parties were anti-Islam.

After the two issues broke out, Hadi said he approached Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin at the time to bring down the Harapan administration.

“As a result of the agreement, Muhyiddin made a move which was to announce (Bersatu’s) exit from Harapan. I proposed the Bersatu president as the new prime minister candidate.

“Umno at the time also agreed until a PN government was formed to replace the Harapan administration.

“The existence of the PN government is not through a hole in the roof or the backdoor… because Muhyiddin’s appointment was decreed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” Hadi was reported as saying.