SUNdae Rumination: DEsi's Recommendation to my ESTeemed REAders, even ET, Extra-TErresterials!

Najib clinging on to power because he’s afraid, says Dr Mahathir

BY EILEEN NG

Published: 3 October 2015 6:16 PM

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says today Datuk Seri Najib Razak risked being investigated and even jailed if he were to step down over a string of financial scandals. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Wan Asraf, October 3, 2015.

Datuk Seri Najib Razak is clinging on to the prime minister’s office because he is afraid, the embattled leader’s arch critic, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, said today.

The retired statesman, who is one of the prime movers in attempts to unseat the prime minister, said Najib ran the risk of being investigated and even imprisoned if he were to step down.

“It is not that he does not want to step down, he is afraid because if he does, no power can stop the investigations and he will be jailed.

“That’s why he does not want to step down,” Dr Mahathir told a crowd of Umno members today at a high tea event organised by the Pusat Bandar Taman Cempaka Umno branch.

Najib is under fire over a RM2.6 billion “donation” from an unknown Middle Eastern country. The money was deposited into his personal accounts, a large portion of which was given ahead of the 2013 general election.

He is also under pressure over his brainchild, state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which is facing multiple probes, including by foreign authorities, over alleged financial irregularities. 

However, Najib had repeatedly stated that he would not step down, and told American fund managers and investors to ignore the “1MDB noise”.

Dr Mahathir today described Najib’s administration as “cruel” for acting against his critics.

He cited the example of sacked Umno member Datuk Seri Khairuddin Abu Hassan who is currently detained under an anti-terrorism law, the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), for lodging reports against 1MDB in other countries.

The police have said that Khairuddin’s actions amounted to using foreign enforcement agencies to put pressure on Malaysia over the 1MDB issue, and could be deemed an act of sabotage against the country.

Dr Mahathir, who led Malaysia for 22 years, also said investigators probing into 1MDB were either sacked or transferred.

He went on to question the identity person who donated the RM2.6 billion to Najib, who has said that it was normal for him as Umno president to hold donations in trust on behalf of the party.

“No person in the world will give you RM2.6 billion because they love you so much. Who is this donor? I, too, want to meet him. 

“Not only we do not know who the donor was, but we don’t even know where the money went,” Dr Mahathir said, adding that Malaysians had the right to ask these questions. – October 3, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/najib-clinging-to-power-because-hes-afraid-says-dr-mahathir#sthash.7InPJEj0.dpuf


**************************************************
 

 

Don’t get upset if China funds parties to oust Umno, says veteran leader

BY MD IZWAN

Published: 3 October 2015 9:39 PM

Umno leader Tan Sri Sanusi Junid says today if Umno can accept donations from other countries so can other parties. – The Malaysian Insider file pic, October 3, 2015.

Umno should not get upset if China donated to Chinese-based parties in Malaysia in order to oppose its rule, veteran party leader Tan Sri Sanusi Junid said today, since the ruling Malay party accepted political donations from foreigners.

Sanusi said Umno, which heads the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, had as part of its practice, received such donations.

“Don’t be angry if they donated to leaders of Chinese parties to oppose Umno Malays, when we ourselves accept such donations,” the former federal minister and Kedah menteri besar said at a high tea dialogue organised by the Pusat Bandar Taman Cempaka Umno branch in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, today.

Sanusi did not give a specific example, but the political spotlight has fallen on Umno president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak of late for receiving RM2.6 billion from a Middle Eastern donor. Najib and other Umno leaders who support him have said it was a political donation, and maintained that there was nothing wrong with the party president holding such funds in trust on behalf of the party.

Another Umno later said the money came from a “brotherly” Middle Eastern country which wanted to see BN remain in power.

Sanusi’s remarks about China follow a diplomatic spat after ambassador Dr Huang Huikang made remarks while on a visit to Petaling Street following threats by a Malay group of “red shirt” protesters to hold a rally there against ethnic Chinese traders.

Huang had said China opposed any form of discrimination and extremism based on race – remarks which got him summoned to the Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Also present with Sanusi at the Umno event today was former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has become Najib’s arch critic over his policies and alleged financial scandals. – October 3, 2015.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/malaysia/article/dont-get-upset-if-china-funds-parties-to-oust-umno-says-veteran-leader#sthash.HDoagkAD.dpuf