Former Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, on “UpFront”
Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, speaks with ‘UpFront’:
- Says current PM Najib Razak “has to go” and if he stays in office “this country will go to the dogs”
- Claims Razak was acquitted of corruption charges because “the attorney general refuses to reveal what was reported to him”
- Admits there was corruption during his time
- Defends previous comments deemed anti-Semitic: “I believe I am telling the truth”
- Says “everything is possible” and he’s “not ruling out anything” when it comes to rejoining his former political party UMNO.
(Washington DC – 23rd June, 2016) – In a wide-ranging interview with Al Jazeera English’s current affairs show, ‘UpFront’, former Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, repeated his call for current Prime Minister, Najib Razak, to quit.
“He has to go,” Mahathir told ‘UpFront’ host Mehdi Hasan.
“He’s gone off track. He has done a lot of things which are actually wrong, and as a result he has put the country in a very bad position,” he added.
Mahathir didn’t pull his punches when asked about the future of Malaysia if Prime Minister Najib Razak remains in office.
“If Najib is there, this country will go to the dogs,” he replied.
Former PM Mahathir Mohamad was also asked about Najib Razak being cleared of corruption charges by Malaysia’s attorney general.
“He has not been found guilty of anything simply because the attorney general refuses to reveal what was reported to him,” he said.
“The attorney general recently appointed by him seems to be clearing him on every issue without revealing the basis of his decision,” he continued.
On his own political future, and whether he might consider rejoining his former party UMNO, he responded, “I’m not ruling out anything. Anything is possible.”
And, on the subject of imprisoned former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, Mahathir was unrepentant: “I have no power to order anybody to be released… I have nothing against him now. It was before.”
He continued: “His detention now is not because of me, it’s because of Najib.”
The ‘UpFront’ interview also challenged Mahathir’s history of anti-Semitic remarks. The former premier was asked if his controversial, and inflammatory, comments regarding Jews might tarnish his legacy. “No,” he said. “I believe I am speaking the truth.”
“They are not very many, Jews in this world,” he added. “By themselves they cannot rule this world, but they can influence countries to do the work for them, and America is very much under Jewish influence.”
Asked about corruption under his watch, Mahathir responded: “I admit that during my time there was corruption, but not on the scale that Najib is involved in.”
He refused to rule out one of his sons becoming prime minister to avoid any conflict of interest, saying: “I don’t rule out anything. I have no right to rule out anything. Anybody who wants to make a bid for whatever, he is entitled to do it.”
This interview will be available online from 1530 GMT on Friday 24th June www.aljazeera.com/upfront
***ENDS***
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
This UpFront interview with Mahathir Mohamad airs on Friday June 24th at 1930 GMT
If using quotes please credit Al Jazeera English and ‘UpFront’ and please add this link to online copy www.aljazeera.com/upfront
UpFront broadcasts on Fridays at 1930 GMT. Follow UpFront on Twitter @AJUpFront
