Do you also back 1MDB? Dr M asks PM’s supporters

(Malay Mail Online) – Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today challenged political leaders defending Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak against the former’s criticism to state if they also support 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and its RM42 billion debt pile.

The former prime minister further asked the group if they were comfortable with 1MDB’s financial practices such as keeping billions of dollars in the tax haven of the Cayman Islands and the repeated allegations linking the state investment firm to billionaire Low Taek Jho.

“I would like to ask the supporters whether their support means the disappearance of RM42 billion is okay, that there is no necessity to at least explain where the money is.

“If you do, go tell Daim, Tengku Razaleigh, Shahrir Samad and Khairy Jamaluddin to shut up,” Dr Mahathir said in a post on his personal blog today.

The former prime minister insisted that his questions to Putrajaya were “simple”, and primarily over why 1MDB needed to amass a reported RM42 billion in debt when it did not have to repay the loans.

Yesterday, Najib told Parliament that 1MDB had met a recent RM2-billion loan payment on time and was not at risk of bankruptcy.

The inability of 1MDB to meet its loan payments previously had fuelled speculation that the firm was struggling with cash flow issues and unable to service its debt.

In recent remarks, Dr Mahathir has 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.

His attacks prompted several BN leaders to criticise the former prime minister over his own time in power.

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 used to.