Former Malaysian leader hits out at incumbent Najib Razak over scandals

Influential former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad has launched a stinging attack on beleaguered Prime Minister Najib Razak, demanding explanations in two highly sensitive scandals and warning the ruling party will lose power with Najib in charge.

Mahathir's broadside is significant because the retired 89-year-old former strongman spearheaded a campaign against his own successor, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, that resulted in Abdullah's 2009 ousting and replacement by Najib.

In his widely read blog, Mahathir waded into previously taboo territory in calling for the truth to be revealed in a sensational scandal linked to Najib that concerned alleged corruption in a submarine purchase and the still-unexplained 2006 murder of a Mongolian woman.

He also raised questions over a state-owned investment company launched by Najib that is mired in US$11 billion of debt and has been hit by numerous reports of alleged fraud and questions over the whereabouts of hundreds of millions of dollars.

Mahathir, whose 1981-2003 rule was marked by crony capitalism and a sharp curbing of civil liberties, has ramped up pressure on Najib since the premier led the long-ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno) to its worst showing ever in 2013 polls. But yesterday's comments were Mahathir's harshest yet.

He said Malaysians "no longer trust" Najib.

"Umno members and their leaders must realise that [the ruling regime] will lose if [Najib] leads Umno," into the next elections due by 2018, he said.