Mahathir: Stop thinking the people are stupid

(Malay Mail Online) – Datuk Seri Najib Razak must disclose details as to why an “Arab” donor would be willing to part ways with RM2.6 billion and whether the contribution meant that Malaysia’s interests would be compromised, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.

In his latest blog posting, the former prime minister claimed that no one believes that the sum of money was a “personal gift” to Prime Minister Najib to win elections, and ridiculed the explanations given by Umno so far.

“The public has a right to know because the public does not believe that the 2.6 billion Ringgit was a gift personally to the PM of Malaysia for him to win elections.

“Malaysians would not like to believe their candidate for the highest office in the country is a nominee of some person from another country. What will be his obligation to his supporters. Will he serve Malaysians or some foreign country,” Dr Mahathir asked.

“Stop thinking that Malaysians are stupid,” he added.

He pointed out that reasons given by Umno so far were absurd, and that the donation could not have been a reward for Malaysia’s stand against the Islamic State (IS) as the terror organisation only became fully operational last year whereas the donation was banked in back in 2013.

“Saying that it is because of Malaysia’s moderation in Islam is equally absurd as Malaysia had never been extreme in its practice of Islam,” Dr Mahathir added.

He also took aim at Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi after the deputy prime minister said he had recently met with the chief investment officer and wealth trustee representing the mysterious Arabs behind the RM2.6 billion donation.

“The new DPM says he has seen the Arab who gave the money. Then let him give proof that this Arab has huge sums of money to give away to Malaysia and many other countries.

“Which countries. What is the source of this money. What business does he do? What is the name of the bank he uses. Show his account in the bank, the cheques he issued, particularly the 700 million USD. The recipient bank should be holding these cheques,” Dr Mahathir said.

In the latest revelation on the RM2.6 billion saga, Umno division leader Datuk Rizuan Abdul Hamid said last weekend that the funds found in Najib’s private accounts were donated by an “Arab king and prince”, and that it was meant to be a political donation to be used during Election 2013.

It was previously speculated that the RM2.6 billion had originated from 1Malaysia Development Berhad, a brainchild of the prime minister’s that is currently under probe for alleged financial irregularities.

But the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission recently refuted this, saying the funds had come from donors from the Middle East. The commission did not, however, reveal the identity or identities of the donors.