Former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad faces four new probes after launching campaign against Najib Razak
Najib is embroiled in a controversy over some US$700 million that was deposited into his personal bank account.
Malaysian police said on Monday they have opened four investigation papers against former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, a man who has arguably become the current administration’s fiercest critic.
Mahathir, 90, who ruled from 1981 to 2003, is being probed over alleged sedition, among others offences, the Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar told reporters.
“Some [parts of the probe] are not complete. Some have been forwarded to the attorney general for consideration. There is no decision yet,” he said.
Normally I don’t like foreign interference in Malaysian affairs, but our avenues for redress have been closed
The police chief declined to say if any of the investigations are related to Mahathir’s remarks made during an interview with The Weekend Australian last week, in which he said there was little chance Prime Minister Najib Razak would step down without external pressure.
“Normally I don’t like foreign interference in Malaysian affairs, but our avenues for redress have been closed completely,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.
“So now we have to allow foreign interference in our domestic affairs. If it is legal, legitimate, yes. If they have information, they should give information. And if there is money laundering, just because it is Najib it doesn’t mean they should suspend the law.”
Members of the ruling party, the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), had called for action to be taken against Mahathir under the Sedition Act for asking foreigners to interfere in the administration of the country.
