.jpg "Dr Mahathir Mohamad addressing the crowd at the anti-GST rally near Dataran Merdeka April 2, 2016. u00e2u20acu201d Picture by Choo Choy May")
KUALA LUMPUR, May 1 — Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said today the police should have revoked their outrider escort for Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad “long ago” when he started attacking the government.
The tourism and culture minister added that the police escort service was a “privilege” customarily accorded to former prime ministers and should not be used to accompany leaders to anti-government functions, news portal Malaysiakini reported.
“He brought it upon himself. I don’t think he should get escorts as he is bashing the government that is providing him this privilege.
“It (the withdrawal) should have been done long ago,” he was quoted telling reporters in Kuching, Sarawak.
The Umno supreme council member also said the outriders were a security service but added that the 90-year-old had put himself in danger through his recent actions, though the report did not elaborate if Nazri provided an explanation.
According to Malaysiakini, Dr Mahathir’s police escort privilege was revoked last month.
The police have not publicly commented on the issue.
Dr Mahathir, who was prime minister from 1981 to October 2003, has been among the most vocal government critics.
He quit Umno and has since joined up with former political foes to front a non-partisan citizen movement dubbed Save Malaysia, calling for the ouster of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
