appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

liveArticle

appConfig

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sectionsV2

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

json

Reuters

Malaysia’s former leader Mahathir Mohamad launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Najib Razak, saying democracy in the country is dead and that he should be questioned by police about the country’s troubled state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
Najib has been under growing pressure over accusations of financial mismanagement at the fund, known as 1MDB, and his leadership of Malaysia’s faltering economy.
Last month he sacked his deputy, Muhyiddin Yassin, replaced the country’s attorney general and transferred officers involved in an investigation into 1MDB.

He has also suspended two of the country’s newspapers and blocked access to a website, Sarawak Report, that has been reporting on the graft scandal.
“Democracy is dead. It is dead because an elected leader chooses to subvert the institutions of government and make them his instruments for sustaining himself,” Mahathir said, writing on his personal blog.
The Prime Minister’s office did not immediately comment on Mahathir’s remarks.
Najib has blamed Mahathir for being behind corruption allegations made against him, which he says are unfounded, saying this began when he refused to implement Mahathir’s personal demands.
Mahathir, Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, has become Najib’s fiercest critic and withdrew support for him last year after the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition lost a popular vote in the 2013 elections.
The 90-year-old, who was once Najib’s patron and remains highly influential in the country, has called for the prime minister to step down over the 1MDB furore.
However, Najib still retains significant support from the long-ruling BN coalition and from within his party, the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).
“What Najib is doing is unprecedented in Malaysia,” said Mahathir.
“The people are at a loss as to what to do. The prospect of Najib continuing to rule this country is utterly depressing.”
The Wall Street Journal reported in July that investigators looking into allegations of graft and financial mismanagement at 1MDB found that nearly US$700 million was deposited into Najib’s accounts. Reuters has not verified the report.
Najib has denied taking any money for personal gain, saying the allegations are part of a malicious campaign to force him from office.
Malaysia’s anti-graft unit said last week that it would ask Najib to explain a 2.6 billion ringgit donation that was deposited into his private bank account, adding that the sum was given by a donor from the Middle East.
Najib said on Saturday that the unit has found the money that went into his account was not a bribe and did not belong to 1MDB, though the anti-corruption commission is yet to confirm this.
Malaysia’s political uncertainties are weighing on its currency, with the ringgit slumping to lows last seen during the Asian financial crisis 17 years ago. 


‘Democracy is dead’: Malaysia’s former leader Mahathir launches another scathing attack on Najib’s rule 

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has become Najib’s fiercest critic. Photo: AFP

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has been under growing pressure over accusations of financial mismanagement. Photo: AP

How a missing plane and graft scandal are testing Malaysia’s PM Najib Razak

Malaysia's PM Najib Razak adjusts glasses before confirming the debris found on Reunion Island is from missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Photo: Reuters

A supporter #TangkapNajib (Arrest Najib) is arrested by the Royal Malaysian Police during a protest in Kuala Lumpur, on August 1. Najib has come under increasing pressure to resign since the 1MDB scandal broke. Photo: EPA

In Malaysia's widening political crisis, Najib Razak's fight is only just beginning

Two years ago, Najib Razak (right) was presented as prime minister and Muhyiddin Yassin his deputy. Photo: Reuters

Analysis: Najib Razak, 'biggest warlord in Malaysia', sends message to opponents with sackings amid 1MDB scandal

Prime Minister Najib Razak is fighting allegations that he took money from the 1MDB state wealth fund. Photo: AP

Muhyiddin Yassin is now the second deputy prime minister in the history of Malaysian politics to be sacked from the cabinet. Photo: Reuters

Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad has made stinging comments against current premier Najib Razak and has demanded explanations to scandals hitting the administration. Photo: AFP

Attorney-General Gani Patail, who was involved in the investigation into the wealth fund controversy, was also fired. Photo: Reuters

Former Malaysian leader hits out at incumbent Najib Razak over scandals

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) and former leader Mahathir Mohamad. Photos: EPA, AFP

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (left) and former leader Mahathir Mohamad.

News

Asia

Southeast Asia