KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 — Datuk Seri Najib Razak today named Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as advisor to state oil firm Petronas, replacing Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad who was removed for orchestrating a campaign against the prime minister.
Abdullah, popularly known as Pak Lah, was Najib’s predecessor as prime minister, and both men have the shared experience of being the target of Dr Mahathir’s demand that they resign.
On March 11, the Prime Minister’s Office said the Cabinet in its “unanimous” decision agreed that Dr Mahathir should not hold any government-related posts now that he no longer supports the administration.
"The decision to terminate the appointment of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad was made by the Cabinet since he was no longer supporting the present government, especially with the launch of 'Deklarasi Rakyat' (Citizens’ Declaration) together with opposition leaders," Najib reiterated in a statement today.
Dr Mahathir launched a Citizens’ Declaration demanding Najib’s resignation on March 4, which drew support from Barisan Nasional leaders, opposition parties and civil society.
The former prime minister is also suing Najib for alleged interference in government investigations on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) and the RM2.6 billion deposited in the latter’s accounts ahead of Election 2013.
Dr Mahathir had been Petronas advisor since his retirement as prime minister in 2003.
