Rais accuses foreign media of ‘grand design’ to topple Najib

(Bernama) – Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the allegations by the foreign media against Datuk Seri Najib Razak were a grand design to topple the prime minister.

He said this was not something new because the foreign media had used the same tactic, and failed, during the time when Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad helmed the country.

The foreign media would use various terminologies relating to the prime minister's character to give the impression that he was unacceptable (to certain parties), he told reporters after tahlil prayers for the late Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba at Masjid An-Nur in Peringgit last night.

The function, organised by the National Archives to commemorate the third death anniversary of the former deputy prime minister, was attended by Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob and Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam.

Rais was commenting on Dr Mahathir's statement that there was a continuous and concerted effort by the foreign media to put Najib in a bad light as prime minister.

Rais said Najib had been linked to "laws" which could tarnish his good name by several parties, including PKR leaders, when these were mere allegations made by the media in Europe or the United States, and he believed that the allegations would die down.

"However, we must study (the situation) and if I have the chance, I want to have a debate with those trying to implicate our leader with unbecoming and nonsensical words."

On Datuk Zaid Ibrahim who was often quoted by the foreign media to run down Najib, Rais said he challenged the former minister to a public debate if the latter believed that his allegations against Najib were true.