By Karen Bong
KOTA SAMARAHAN, May 4: Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said he is unaware of any conspiracy or plot brewing in Peninsular Malaysia to topple the unity government.
“I am in Sarawak so I have no idea what is happening there. Even though Sarawak is backing the unity government, I don’t know much or the back stories of it.
“All of it (rumours) is (circulating) in social media so I have no knowledge of such attempts since I am still busy with Raya celebrations and Gawai (festival) is coming next. So why should I be bothered with what is happening there?” he told reporters today.
Abang Johari was met at the Hari Raya open house of Federal Deputy Minister of Rural and Regional Development Datuk Rubiah Wang held at the Kota Samarahan Civic Centre.
This came following a recent report by an online news portal claiming that there was a fresh plot to remove Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, five months after the formation of the unity government.
The report said at least 10 members of Parliament (MPs) who had previously backed the Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin for prime minister after the 15th General Election were planning for force by-elections.
They were said to be planning to quit from their parties, thereby invoking the anti-hopping law which will cause their seats to be vacated.
The report also claimed that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former finance minister Tun Dr Daim Zainuddin will fund the plot as Bersatu’s bank accounts were frozen.
On April 25, Deputy Prime Minister Dato Sri Fadillah Yusof, who is Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) chief whip, denied any intention of toppling the unity government led by Anwar.
He said GPS leaders, including Sarawak Premier and himself, had repeatedly made it clear that their priority was political stability.
On May 1, Anwar also dismissed the rumours, saying that such a conspiracy had no basis and the government will just continue to focus on its work.
Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan and Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas, and Minister of Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah were among those present. — DayakDaily
