Malaysian politician ousted over criticism of prime minister
The Jakarta Post Breaking News by Associated Press
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan. 25. (AP/Joshua Paul)Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan. 25. (AP/Joshua Paul)
The son of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has resigned as a state chief minister, saying he was ousted because of his criticism of Prime Minister Najib Razak over a $700 million financial scandal.
Mukhriz Mahathir says he had lost majority support in the northern Kedah state assembly following a party bid to remove him.
He warned Thursday the ruling Malay party was now at "its weakest point," tainted by scandal-ridden state investment fund 1MDB and more than $700 million that was channeled into Najib's accounts.
Mahathir has been leading calls for Najib to step down, and Mukriz's ouster was seen as a continuing purge of critics in Najib's government. The attorney-general has said he would not prosecute Najib as most of the money was a private donation.
The Jakarta Post Breaking News by Associated Press
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan. 25. (AP/Joshua Paul)Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak speaks at a conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jan. 25. (AP/Joshua Paul)
The son of former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has resigned as a state chief minister, saying he was ousted because of his criticism of Prime Minister Najib Razak over a $700 million financial scandal.
Mukhriz Mahathir says he had lost majority support in the northern Kedah state assembly following a party bid to remove him.
He warned Thursday the ruling Malay party was now at "its weakest point," tainted by scandal-ridden state investment fund 1MDB and more than $700 million that was channeled into Najib's accounts.
Mahathir has been leading calls for Najib to step down, and Mukriz's ouster was seen as a continuing purge of critics in Najib's government. The attorney-general has said he would not prosecute Najib as most of the money was a private donation.
