KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 1 — Lim Kit Siang dismissed today repeated claims by government leaders of a conspiracy to topple Datuk Seri Najib Razak through undemocratic means, pointing out that it would be to the opposition’s political advantage if the prime minister led Barisan Nasional (BN) through the 14^th general election.

The DAP veteran explained that this is because Najib’s leadership is currently at its weakest due to the volume of political and financial controversies plaguing his administration.

Lim added, however, that this view was from a purely “selfish” political viewpoint.

“While Najib would be the best choice for DAP, PKR and HB (Harapan Baru) to lead Umno/BN in the 14^th General Election, as it would likely be most  advantageous to us politically if there is no change of Umno/BN leadership, this is not good for Malaysia as a whole as the nation is hurtling towards a failed state in Year 2020 and not a fully developed nation,” he said.

“The 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) debacle raised questions about the government’s transparency and its ability to govern effectively, particularly when it comes to its own finances.

“It is also  bad for the investment climate and business  environment in the country,” he added.

In view of this, Lim asked if it would be in the country’s best interest if the current crisis of confidence in Najib’s leadership is resolved ahead of the next federal polls which is due by 2018.

“Is this possible?” he asked.

The only way, Lim said, is if at least 20 MPs from Umno and 20 from other BN parties in Sabah and Sarawak agree to join DAP, PKR and HB’s 80 MPs across the South China Sea to form a new coalition government with a new prime minister.

He noted that DAP has 38 MPs, PKR 29 while HB, a new movement formed by PAS’s ousted progressives, has an estimated 10 MPs.

To form a new pact with more than half the 222 MPs in Parliament, the opposition would need at least 40 other federal lawmakers from BN, he said.

“This is not a national or international conspiracy to topple the elected Prime Minister by violent or unconstitutional means, but a patriotic endeavor using democratic and constitutional means to save Malaysia from becoming a failed state,” he said.