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Former Malaysian premier Mahathir sues PM Najib over 'abuse of power' Former Malaysian premier Mahathir sues PM Najib over 'abuse of power'
(5 months later)
Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is suing the current premier Najib Razak for corruption and misfeasance in public office, according to a statement from his law firm.Former Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is suing the current premier Najib Razak for corruption and misfeasance in public office, according to a statement from his law firm.
Mahathir, 90, who served for more than two decades, has led the charge against his former protégé who has faced corruption allegations that are linked to the debt-laden state fund 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).Mahathir, 90, who served for more than two decades, has led the charge against his former protégé who has faced corruption allegations that are linked to the debt-laden state fund 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
Related: Malaysia's Mahathir: strongman turns activist to unseat former protégé
Mahathir and two of his allies, former members of the ruling United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) party that Najib now heads, are seeking a high court order for the country’s leader to pay millions of pounds in damages.Mahathir and two of his allies, former members of the ruling United Malay National Organisation (UMNO) party that Najib now heads, are seeking a high court order for the country’s leader to pay millions of pounds in damages.
The lawsuit on Wednesday accused Najib of “carrying out various steps that were actively and deliberately taken in bad faith.”The lawsuit on Wednesday accused Najib of “carrying out various steps that were actively and deliberately taken in bad faith.”
Mahathir also accused Najib of trying to “obstruct, interfere, impede and derail the various investigations and inquiries which were being conducted by various legal enforcement agencies”.Mahathir also accused Najib of trying to “obstruct, interfere, impede and derail the various investigations and inquiries which were being conducted by various legal enforcement agencies”.
Najib has vigorously denied that he pocketed $681m (£479m) from 1MDB. This year, Malaysia’s attorney general cleared him of any criminal offences, saying the millions transferred into Najib personal bank account was a gift from the royal family in Saudi Arabia and not from 1MDB.Najib has vigorously denied that he pocketed $681m (£479m) from 1MDB. This year, Malaysia’s attorney general cleared him of any criminal offences, saying the millions transferred into Najib personal bank account was a gift from the royal family in Saudi Arabia and not from 1MDB.
‎Known as the “Father of modern Malaysia”, Mahathir has also criticised Najib’s government for arbitrary arrests and a media crackdown, similar to accusations that where lobbied against him during his time in office from 1981 to 2003.‎Known as the “Father of modern Malaysia”, Mahathir has also criticised Najib’s government for arbitrary arrests and a media crackdown, similar to accusations that where lobbied against him during his time in office from 1981 to 2003.
Mahathir has called for a vote of no confidence against Najib in parliament, which has not materialised, and also attended in person an anti-government rally last year in downtown Kuala Lumpur.Mahathir has called for a vote of no confidence against Najib in parliament, which has not materialised, and also attended in person an anti-government rally last year in downtown Kuala Lumpur.
Last month, in protest of Najib’s rule, Mahathir resigned from the UMNO party, a political body that he made extremely powerful in Malaysian governance. He also accused Najib of buying politicians.Last month, in protest of Najib’s rule, Mahathir resigned from the UMNO party, a political body that he made extremely powerful in Malaysian governance. He also accused Najib of buying politicians.
In response, Najib has sidelined Mahathir and Malaysian police investigated and questioned him for “criminal defamation” after the comments he made during the rally in the capital last year.In response, Najib has sidelined Mahathir and Malaysian police investigated and questioned him for “criminal defamation” after the comments he made during the rally in the capital last year.
Malaysia’s minister of communications Salleh Said Keruak told the Guardian in a statement on Wednesday that the lawsuit shows Mahathir “ is clutching at straws.”‎Malaysia’s minister of communications Salleh Said Keruak told the Guardian in a statement on Wednesday that the lawsuit shows Mahathir “ is clutching at straws.”‎
“Tun Mahathir tried to topple the prime minister through UMNO. Hefailed,” he said, using the honorific title. “Tun Mahathir tried a parliamentary vote of no confidence. He failed. ‎Now Tun Mahathir is trying to sue. His accusations are false, so he will fail yet again.”‎“Tun Mahathir has run out of options. This action shows that he has nopolitical channels left.”“Tun Mahathir tried to topple the prime minister through UMNO. Hefailed,” he said, using the honorific title. “Tun Mahathir tried a parliamentary vote of no confidence. He failed. ‎Now Tun Mahathir is trying to sue. His accusations are false, so he will fail yet again.”‎“Tun Mahathir has run out of options. This action shows that he has nopolitical channels left.”
1MDB was launched in 2009 by Najib, who still chairs its advisory board. Critics say it has been opaque in explaining its dealings. Several international investigation are investigating 1MDB.1MDB was launched in 2009 by Najib, who still chairs its advisory board. Critics say it has been opaque in explaining its dealings. Several international investigation are investigating 1MDB.
Reuters contributed to this report.Reuters contributed to this report.