Najib like an AP-holder prime minister, says Mahathir
Former premier describes Sungei Besi land deal to be like selling off car import permits
(Free Malaysia Today) – Prime Minister Najib Razak was likened today to be like an “AP king” selling off what he had obtained for free from the government.
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who seeks to remove Najib from office as Umno president and prime minister, made the reference in a riposte to the prime minister’s dismissive comment about the tens of thousands who have taken part in the mammoth Bersih 4 protest rally in central Kuala Lumpur.
Najib had said the protesters have no love for the country by carrying out their protests on the eve of National Day celebrations.
Dr Mahathir, speaking during a visit to show support for the protesters, said Najib was the one who did not love the country.
“We give him power to become Prime Minister. He could use this power to develop the country. What does he do? He borrows money. He buys government land in the middle of the city, which was worth RM7,000 a square foot, he bought for RM60, then he wants to sell it to Tabung Haji for RM3,000.”
The government plans to develop the land at the former air base at RMAF Sungai Besi into the Tun Razak Exchange financial district. The government investment company 1Malaysia Development Bhd intends to sell off parcels of land there to interested developers. The pilgrims fund Tabung Haji was recently embroiled in controversy over one such deal in May.
Najib as finance minister has supervisory powers over 1MDB.
Dr Mahathir said: “He’s like AP lah. AP you get free, you sell to people. The prime minister is behaving like one of those AP holders.”
