Shahril Hamdan said that the alleged scheme, which hinged on the support of MPs for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, was nonsensical.

He said that Anwar currently enjoyed the support of some 150 MPs, including representatives from Bersatu who recently backed the unity government.

In order to oust Anwar, the number of MPs supporting the prime minister would have to be less than 112, which Shahril said was unlikely at this point.

“But both sides are enjoying such talk,” he said in the latest episode of “Keluar Sekejap”, a podcast he co-hosts with former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

Previously, speculation arose about the so-called “Dubai Move” in reference to alleged discussions in the United Arab Emirates between opposition leaders and certain government representatives to topple the Anwar administration.

The alleged meeting, which Anwar and other government leaders have played down, is supposedly aimed at dividing the tasks among “agents” to identify MPs who would defect to the opposition.

On Dec 30, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man and Bersatu Youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal told FMT that the so-called plot was likely made up to distract people from pressing issues.

Last week, deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he was aware of the “Dubai Move” even before the individuals involved landed in the UAE.

Kedah menteri besar Sanusi Nor later confirmed plans to topple the government “constitutionally”.

Khairy agreed with Shahril that the “Dubai Move” provided political capital for the government, saying it could be used to attack the opposition.