By P Prem Kumar
KUALA LUMPUR
A renowned former Malaysian premier has accused the country's government of losing the trust of its people, warning that the ruling coalition would be defeated in the next general election under present Prime Minister Najib Razak’s leadership.
"Malaysians, whether Malays, Chinese, India [Indians] or the people in Sabah and Sarawak no longer trust Najib," Dr. Mahathir Mohamad wrote on his blog Thursday.
"When Umno [Razak's United Malays National Organisation party] loses, the Malays will curse the leadership which has made the party so weak until it is rejected by the Malays themselves," he added. "Once Umno loses, it cannot be rehabilitated any more."
Mohamad - who served as premier and Barisan Nasional chairman for 23 years until 2003 - said Razak had failed to answer various allegations against him, all of which he added would later be proved true.
The allegations suggest a connection to the killing of a Mongolian interpreter-cum-model, the financially troubled 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) company, and a recent private jet purchase.
He warned that the ruling UMNO party would lose the public's confidence if Razak heads the party in the May 2018 general election.
Mohamed stressed the need to investigate allegations by a former commander that Razak had ordered him to carry out the 2006 murder of Altantuya Shaariibuu, for which the commander was sentenced to death in Malaysia in January.
Sirul Azhar Umar, who had served as a bodyguard for Razak, was detained before the trial on immigration charges in Australia – which refuses to extradite him while he faces the death sentence.
"From Australia, Sirul said that he was ordered to kill Altantuya. People are puzzled on who gave the order,” Mohamed wrote Wednesday.
“As Najib's bodyguard, Sirul's allegation must be investigated.”
He added, “It would be cruel if Sirul was subjected to the death penalty for carrying out instructions."
Mohamed also addressed controversies surrounding the finance ministry-owned 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), which has gathered over RM42 billion (almost $11.5 billion) in debt.
He raised concerns about the need for the federal government to provide 1MDB - whose debt woes are weighing on the nation’s credit rating - a standby credit facility of nearly RM1billion, its purchase of government land and a deal with a little-known oil firm.
"There are many other allegations and questions against 1MDB that was set up by Najib and which is controlled by him as adviser that have not been answered, other than to deny and call the allegations lies,” he said.
"The reports in New York and London newspapers are extremely embarrassing for the country."
Bloomberg has reported that investors in the state-owned firm are still questioning government support even after the premier vowed to pay its debts if needed.
