Despite billions gone, Dr M sees no wrong in questioning Najib government
(Malay Mail Online) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad took offence today to those criticising his latest campaign against the Najib administration, telling his detractors it is good for the country if its leader is seen as clean and able to explain national scandals.
He maintained his loyalty to Umno and said his attacks against its leadership should not be misconstrued as an attack against the party or a move to join the opposition.
“With regard to my political agenda, what is wrong with that? A prime minister must be seen to be clean and able to explain and answer questions and to be good for the country,” he said in his latest blog posting, referring to Prime Minister and Umno president Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Dr Mahathir, who is the country’s longest-serving former prime minister, went a step further to admit that Malaysia lost money during his 22-year rule, although he insisted that how the funds went missing had been public knowledge.
“The Perwaja (Steel) losses were known. Same goes for the mismanagement of Bank Bumiputra (Malaysia Finance),” he said, before adding the 1980s Maminco tin fiasco to his list of scandals.
In the case of state-owned investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), however, Dr Mahathir pointed out that to date, there has been no “reasonable explanation” for the company’s RM42-billion debt pile.
The veteran Umno leader, despite repeatedly targeting Najib’s leadership, maintained that he was not attacking the nation’s leader with ill-intentions, but was merely raising questions over the latter’s failure so far to respond to allegations.
“Those censuring me have also not given any answers, apart from saying that I have interests (to criticise Najib) or that I used to do the same (during my rule),” he said.
“When I resigned as prime minister, there were efforts to obtain proof that I stole government funds. If another probe is sought, I have no objections,” he added.
Najib has been facing growing pressure from his detractors to step down, particularly from Dr Mahathir, who has been repeatedly demanding that the prime minister respond to the numerous allegations plaguing his government.
In recent remarks, Dr Mahathir said he could no longer remain silent and that the days for diplomacy have long passed, adding he will now push for Najib’s resignation openly.
Dr Mahathir’s disapproval and continued attack on the Abdullah administration was said to have forced the resignation of Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.
Analysts, however, believe that Dr Mahathir’s push for Najib’s fall may not gain traction in Umno as the former prime minister no longer wields as much influence in the ruling party as he did once.
