DEPUTY prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has proposed that a special bill be tabled to prevent any future attempt at overthrowing an elected government.

The Umno president was alluding to the “Dubai Move”, the latest speculated meeting allegedly to plan a takeover of Putrajaya.

The meeting was reported to have taken place in the United Arab Emirates last month between certain opposition and government MPs.

At a press conference at a rural and regional development ministry retreat, Zahid said such a bill was important as it would allow an elected government to administer the nation without being threatened by its political enemies.

“I propose that a bill be tabled (to mandate that) if a government is formed by a dominant party, or a combination of parties, with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s consent, then it should remain in power until the end of its (five-year) term.

“If not, we will experience what has happened before, and this is not good for the country and its people,” Zahid, who is also the Barisan Nasional chairman, said.

Previously, the Sheraton Move in February 2020 led to the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government, which won the 14th general election in May 2018, following the exit of several PKR MPs as well as Bersatu, which was then a PH component.

An anti-hopping law was later enacted to prevent further incidents of party hopping that could cause a government to collapse.