Malaysia's king (the Agong), Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, said on Feb. 26 that he will not be entertaining any request from any party that may threaten the political stability and attempt to overthrow the government in Malaysia.

Speaking during the opening of the new session of the Dewan Rakyat (Malaysia Parliament), he said all parties must accept reality and respect the unity government that has been formed, reported Malaysiakini.

"Should any of you want to play politics, then wait until the next election," Sultan Ibrahim told the Members of Parliament (MPs) in attendance.

Rumours of a coup

His remarks came after the opposition was alleged to be planning another coup attempt, with media reporting that government-allied MPs had purportedly been persuaded by opposition parties to defect.

According to The Star on Jan. 2, 2024, the "Dubai Move" was an alleged meeting in Dubai by opposition MPs to topple Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government.

The Agong said that MPs should instead work together towards building the nation and serving the people instead of advancing specific personal or political interests, as his priority is the welfare of Malaysians.

"The success or failure of this country is not only on the shoulders of the prime minister alone, but all members of the Dewan Rakyat who have been given the responsibility by the rakyat (people) to represent them," he added.

History of coups

Malaysia is no stranger to political coups and toppled governments.

2020 saw political party Bersatu leaving the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

The political shift caused the collapse of then-Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and his Pakatan Harapan government, and he eventually resigned.

He was replaced by Muhyiddin Yassin of Bersatu, with the support of his new coalition named Perikatan Nasional (PN) and other parties, and Muhyiddin was able to form a new government with himself as the head.

However, Muhyiddin was forced to step down in August 2021 following divisions between him and Umno, and criticism of his moves to declare a 'state of emergency' that delayed a vote of confidence in him as prime minister.

Umno vice president Ismail Sabri Yaakob took over as prime minister, and managed to secure some political stability through a memorandum of understanding with Pakatan Harapan until the 15th general election in November 2022.

After the vote, the previous Agong, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, decreed for a unity government to be formed after no single party or coalition had enough numbers to form the government on their own.

Pakatan Harapan, Barisan Nasional (including Umno), Sarawak’s GPS and others then formed a government with Anwar Ibrahim as the prime minister and PN as the opposition.

The next general election in Malaysia is expected to be held by February 2028.

Top photos via Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar/Facebook