Dr Mahathir confirms Zeti, Gani and Abu Kassim were betrayed by other conspirators

(Malaysiakini) – Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad today claimed the three top officials accused of conspiring to topple Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak were “betrayed”.

He said Najib would have faced action if the alleged betrayal did not occur.

“Zeti is upright, so is Abu Kassim and also Gani Patail…but they were betrayed by one among them.

“Otherwise Najib would face action by now,” Mahathir told reporters in Kuala Lumpur today.

Mahathir, however, refused to elaborate, or clarify on whether he meant the alleged turncoat was one of the three.

“Well, these are rumours…I cannot have them suing me because I don’t have the kind of money that Najib has.”

‘I’m not part of conspiracy’

He was referring to former Bank Negara Malaysia governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, former Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Abu Kassim Mohamad and former attorney-general Abdul Gani Patail.

Umno Youth vice chief Khairul Azwan Harun last month lodged a police report accusing the trio of conspiring to topple Najib, but police closed the case after determining that the report was based on hearsay.

A defiant Azwan, however, has repeatedly insisted that his police report served its purpose and was a “success”.

Gani denied the claim, while Zeti and Abu Kassim kept mum citing legal advise to do so. Top Umno leaders distanced themselves from the police report.

Khairul Azwan yesterday again defended the police report by claiming Mahathir had plans to hold a press conference for the international media in Jakarta on July 26, with intentions to attack Najib.

Speaking at the opening of the Teluk Kemang Umno wings divisional meetings in Port Dickson, Khairul Azwan also accused Mahathir of being part of the alleged conspriracy.

“There is no truth at all. I wish I can do that,” said Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia pro-tem committee chairperson.

Also present at the press conference were Bersatu pro-tem committee president Muhyiddin Yassin, vice-president Mukhriz Mahathir and other committee members.