Malaysian police to question ex-PM Mahathir over rally comments

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad will be questioned over statements he made at massive weekend demonstrations held to demand current Prime Minister Najib Razak’s ouster over corruption allegations, police said Wednesday, September 2.

Mahathir, 90, who was Malaysia’s longest-serving prime minister, electrified crowds at the demonstrations by tens of thousands in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, August 30, by calling for a sustained public push to topple Najib.

He also accused Najib of bribing politicians in the ruling party, the United Malays National Organization (UMNO), for their support, saying the premier was clinging to power to avoid corruption charges.

“We will call him (Mahathir). He has made speeches and accusations,” national police chief Khalid Abu Bakar was quoted saying by online news outlet Malaysiakini.

“Among them, he claimed UMNO leaders had taken bribes, so we want to find out more.” 

The report gave no further details.

Malaysia’s ruling coalition routinely hauls in opponents who take part in anti-government actions, in what the opposition calls a pattern of systematic harassment.

It was not clear whether Mahathir, who remains influential in the ruling party, would face any charges.

Organizers of the weekend demonstrations also have said they had been ordered to report to police on Wednesday.

Najib has been under growing pressure since The Wall Street Journal revealed in early July that Malaysian investigators had found nearly $700 million in mysterious deposits into his personal bank accounts.

His government has since admitted the deposits occurred, calling them “political donations” from Middle Eastern sources but refusing to give further details.

Outrage over the scandal has been heightened by subsequent government personnel moves by Najib – including sacking Malaysia’s attorney general – that appear to have stalled investigations.

Najib had already been facing demands for months that he explain the whereabouts of huge sums allegedly missing from deals involving a state-owned company he launched.

He denies any wrongdoing, saying he is the victim of a “political conspiracy”. – Rappler.com