Mahathir Mohamad urges Malaysians to join protest rally against Prime Minister Najib Razak as tension grows
Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister formed a new political group this year in his campaign to oust former protege Najib
Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad on Wednesday threw his weight behind a massive rally planned for this weekend to demand that scandal-tainted Prime Minister Najib Razak resign, with clashes feared between protesters and pro-government groups.
Najib, who is eyeing an early election next year, faces outrage over his involvement in a multi-billion-dollar financial scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), and has used harsh measures to silence critics.
I hope all Malaysians will join this demonstration by Bersih which is aimed at finding a way to fix this country
Election reform group Bersih, the organiser of Saturday’s rally, has demanded Najib resign.
Malaysia is “facing a state of panic”, former prime minister Mahathir, wearing Bersih’s signature yellow T-shirt, said in a video posted online.
“I hope all Malaysians will join this demonstration by Bersih which is aimed at finding a way to fix this country,” said Mahathir, who quit Najib’s ruling United Malays National Organisation (Umno) in February.
Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister formed a new political group this year in his campaign to oust former protege Najib.
Concerns are growing that Bersih supporters and pro-government groups could clash at the rally, with the group’s chairwoman having received anonymous death threats.