Malaysian PM axes deputy, attorney general amid fund scandal
EILEEN NG, Associated Press

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, stung by allegations that he received some $700 million in government money, on Tuesday fired the attorney general who had been investigating him and a deputy who has been among his most prominent critics.

Najib is under increasing pressure over leaked confidential documents that allegedly show that the money, from state investment fund 1MDB, went into his personal accounts.

Najib announced over national television Tuesday that his deputy Muhyiddin Yassin will be replaced by Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, the former home minister. He also dropped four other ministers to strengthen his administration and ensure they can "work as a team."

"The decision to replace Muhyiddin was a very difficult one, but I had to do it so a strong team can move forward," Najib said.

Muhyiddin has been critical of the government's handling of 1MDB's massive debt and has called on Najib to explain the alleged funds transfer.

Earlier Tuesday, the government announced it had terminated the services of Attorney General Abdul Gani Patail due to health reasons. Gani, when contacted by Malay Mail Online, said he had not been aware of the decision.

Gani confirmed earlier this month that he had received documents from investigators that linked Najib and 1MDB. The existence of the documents, which allegedly show $700 million was wired from entities linked to 1MDB into Najib's accounts, were first reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Najib has not disputed the existence of the accounts or the receipt of the funds. He has only said that he has never used government funds for personal gains, and called the allegations a political sabotage.

The documents sent to the attorney general pave the way for possible criminal charges, which would be a first for a Malaysian prime minister.

Najib's ruling National Front coalition has been in power since independence from Britain in 1957. However, support for the coalition has eroded in the last two general elections. In 2013, it won the polls but lost the popular vote for the first time.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-07-28

As the Malaysian like to say, Malaysia Boleh!!

Talking to a Malay friend, Najib's statement is true. The money was used by his political party for the previous election. Still highly illegal as it's public money.

Hehe another bent PM

Talking to a Malay friend, Najib's statement is true. The money was used by his political party for the previous election. Still highly illegal as it's public money.

I suppose Najib's interpretation of 'personal gain' can differ from others. Most reasonable people would consider that any family connections who may have benefited from these funds should also be included within the 'personal gain' expression.

Stories abound about the wealth of his stepson, Riza Aziz. Having acquired property in Beverley Hills, a penthouse condo in New York as well as providing a substantial part of the financing of the $100m movie 'Wolf of Wall Street'.

Of course, those funds could well have been obtained via the normal level of government corruption and kick-backs that exist in Malaysia

In any event it looks like Najib is sending a message that any dissent will mean getting thrown off the gravy train. Hopefully he will be next

Anyone looking for some background to the current political events in Malaysia should find this of interest:

http://www.sarawakreport.org/

Given the power that the ruling party exerts over all sections of Malaysian society it would be no surprise if this blows over with only minor damage to them. Money politics in the extreme

Beginning to sound like Richard Nixon: fire the person who is investigating you, then fire your second in command.

Always had the impression Muhyiddin was a thug.

It looks as if it's politics as usual in the land of the Buhmi putas....the rich get rich and the poor get children!

Talking to a Malay friend, Najib's statement is true. The money was used by his political party for the previous election. Still highly illegal as it's public money.

Take 10 minutes and tell me something that is legal in Asia. Yes sunshine is correct pick your prize.

Najib's fiercest critic is supposedly former PM Mahathir Mohammed who was also his mentor and set up his career.

Striking similarity between them because if I remember correctly Mahathir sacked judges who dared find against the UMNO party in a court case.

Yes, Mahathir seems to make a habit of chopping down his former proteges. Look what happened to Anwar.