Inside the turmoil: Malaysian PM sacks deputy after critical comments over 1MDB graft allegations

Prime Minister Najib Razak sacked his deputy and four others in a cabinet reshuffle, with the attorney general also replaced amid the fallout from a graft scandal at state investment fund 1MDB.

Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who has been critical of Najib’s handling of the scandal involving state-owned development company 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) was dropped. The reshuffle was widely seen as an attempt to tighten his hold on  office amid corruption allegations

Muhyiddin will be replaced by current Home Minister Zahid Hamidi, a right-wing politician well-liked by members of the powerful United Malays National Organisation (Umno) party.

Najib said the decision to drop Muhyiddin was a "tough but necessary" so that the cabinet would stay united.

Clearly referring to Muhyiddin and other lower-ranking ministers who had questioned the allegations surrounding 1MDB, Najib said cabinet members “should  not air their differences in an open forum that can affect public opinion against the government and Malaysia”.

In total, nine ministers were replaced by Najib to create a “unified team” ahead of the next elections  due by 2018.