Dr M next critic in Putrajaya’s sights, Kit Siang claims

(Malay Mail Online) – Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will be the next critic that Putrajaya pursues, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang alleged today following his six-month parliamentary suspension.

Asserting his ban from Dewan Rakyat to be part of the government’s suppression of criticism over state-owned 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the Gelang Patah MP said Dr Mahathir will soon join a list of others the former said have been punished for speaking out about the firm.

“I am only the latest victim of the 1MDB Monster and more victims, including former prime minister Tun Mahathir, would be the casualties unless the 1MDB Monster could be stopped in its tracks,” he said in a statement today.

Others whom he said have suffered due to their opposition to 1MDB include Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin who was removed as deputy prime minister, Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal who was dropped as a federal minister, Tan Sri Abdul Ghani Patail who was replaced as Attorney-General, and several more.

Lim claimed others who will now come in for Putrajaya’s attention are Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Tan Sri Zeti Akhtar Aziz, DAP MP Tony Pua, Sarawak Report editor Clare Rewcastle-Brown, The Edge Group’s Tong Kooi Ong and Ho Kay Tat, and investigators part of a special taskforce that was examining 1MDB.

Lim was suspended from Dewan Rakyat for six months yesterday for insulting Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Pandikar Amin Mulia by accusing him of exceeding his powers in suspending the Public Accounts Committee’s inquiry on 1MDB.

Pandikar on Wednesday demanded Lim apologise for remarks the latter made on Tuesday, which the latter ignored.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said then submitted a motion to suspend Lim, which was approved yesterday by 107 assenting votes versus 77 opposing.