CYBERJAYA, April 4 — Former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad today said he no longer put his trust in those running the current administration due to the allegations of corruptions that surround it.
Dr Mahathir also said he could no longer withhold his criticism against Putrajaya now that the global media has labelled Malaysia “the most corrupt country in the world,” adding that it was his “last resort” to publicly rebuke the ruling administration.
“The condition of a leader, a country, must be... seen to be clean. Not just to be clean, but to be seen to be clean.
“So things like 1MDB, people have been asking repeatedly but still no answer. Some have given orders not to bring this up anymore, that's not a reply,” he added, referring to questions raised about 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) and its reported RM42 billion in debt.
Today’s remarks is an escalation of Dr Mahathir’s criticism on Thursday over 1MDB and other issues plaguing the federal government, during which he warned the ruling Barisan Nasional that it risked losing the next general election if it failed to address these satisfactorily.
Dr Mahathir today said that there was tendency for people to become corrupt once being appointed to office or coming into power, saying this has caused him to “lose faith in people.”
“I am not angry, this is not about being angry, it’s about our country. Our country was famous for having a good administration. Now international newspapers call us the most corrupt country in the world.
“No one has ever said that, during my time I was also called corrupt but never mind, I was not corrupt,” he said.
On Thursday, Dr Mahathir “upped the ante” and demanded answers on the murder of Mongolian Altantuya Shaariibuu as well as allegations on 1MDB.
The former prime minister insisted that police must investigate former commando Sirul Azhar Umar’s claim that he killed the Mongolian under orders, while expressing disappointment over Putrajaya’s attempts to fend off allegations surrounding the heavily indebted state investment firm.
Earlier today, Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said Putrajaya must provide answers to Dr Mahathir’s questions, saying that ignoring the former prime minister would only worsen the situation.
