[UPDATED] Cops initiate probe into Langkah Dubai

KUALA LUMPUR – Police have launched an investigation into the controversial Langkah Dubai, which is aimed at toppling the present government, following the filing of 43 reports nationwide.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain revealed that the investigation, conducted under Section 124(c) of the Penal Code, was targeting individuals responsible for creating viral content associated with the movement.

Among the suspects are prominent bloggers Wan Muhammad Azri Wan Deris (Papagomo), Raja Petra Kamarudin and Salim Iskandar, along with Bersatu’s Badrul Hisham Shaharin (Chegubard).

“These reports pertain to viral social media posts by several individuals that may lead to activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy and their planning,” Razarudin told a press conference at Bukit Aman today.

However, Razarudin said the likelihood of arresting Raja Petra as part of the investigation was low, given that the latter was currently in Manchester, the United Kingdom.

He has expressed confusion about why the blogger has been actively issuing statements about the alleged overthrow of the government, citing that the blogger has no authority.

“If a party chairman or secretary-general were to discuss such movements, it would be different, as they possess the authority to do so.

“Raja Petra, who lacks any authority or locus standi, speaks as if investors should be fearful. It is as though Malaysia is not peaceful, suggesting that public order could be disrupted and posing a potential threat to parliamentary democracy.

“If that were to occur, party leaders would either have an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or disclose it in Parliament,” he said.

Previously, Community Communications Department Deputy Director-General Datuk Ismail Yusop claimed in a Facebook post that a conspiracy was at play to overthrow the unity government.

Dubbed “Langkah Dubai,” he said that the plot was orchestrated by opposition leaders and involved several members of the government bloc during their recent vacation to the United Arab Emirates.

During the visit, a meeting purportedly took place to assign specific tasks to persons responsible for identifying government MPs who were likely to switch their support to the opposition with inducements and pave the way for a “backdoor government.”

Ismail also claimed that, in addition to Perikatan Nasional leaders, two-time former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and former finance minister Tun Daim Zainuddin were colluding with the opposition, utilising “foreign and local sources” to advance their agenda through the move.

Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Lokman Noor Adam later told Scoop that Daim, who is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission for graft and money laundering, was said to be willing to fork out hundreds of millions of ringgit to “buy over” government lawmakers.

Several leaders in the unity government denied knowledge of the movement, while the opposition decried the accusations. – January 9,2024