The Malaysian Insight

EMBATTLED Prime Minister Najib Razak will promise the people anything to save his skin, and this includes large sums of money, such as Langkawi recently received, said Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The former prime minister launched his latest attack following Najib’s announcement of millions of ringgit in projects for the island, which is quickly shaping up into the battleground in the 14th general election.

“When we were still friends five years ago, he also promised to give RM5 billion to Langkawi,” Dr Mahathir said, referring to the time before 2014 when he was a strong supporter of Najib.

“But until today, I haven’t seen a single sen from that promise,” Dr Mahathir told the crowd in the Love Malaysia, End Kleptocracy campaign in Klebang, near the Ipoh city centre.

Two days ago in Langkawi, Najib launched two low-cost housing projects worth RM247 million in Kuah and Ayer Hangat, and the Kampung Chenang fishermen’s jetty costing RM9.16 million .

Dr Mahathir’s speech last night capped a weekend of ceramah in the northern states featuring Pakatan top brass in the roadshow, “Save Malaysia, End Kleptocracy. 

In Klebang, almost 2,000 people filled the field next to the mosque where the ceramah was held. The organisers ran out of chairs, but many were willing to remain standing through the night’s programme to listen to the leaders.

Besides Dr Mahathir, who is also Bersatu chairman, the ceramah featured Amanah president Mohamad Sabu and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail. Bersatu, Amanah, PKR and DAP are the components of Pakatan.

Dr Mahathir also accused Najib of promising to give money the government did not have when he pledged a RM5,000 bonus to each family of Felda settlers.

“The closer we get to the election, you can bet that he will increase the bonuses. The RM5,000 that he wants to give Felda will probably be increased to RM25,000.

“But these are only promises. There is no money. He makes these promises because he knows he is going to lose.

“You cannot trust the promises of a thief,” said Dr Mahathir, repeating his name calling of Najib for this role in the massive losses suffered by state investor 1Malaysia Development Bhd
(1MDB).

In her speech Dr Wan Azizah said Pakatan parliamentarians were denied the chance to ask questions on 1MDB in the Dewan Rakyat sitting last month.

The state investor has chalked up RM39 billion in losses due to mismanagement and alleged theft and RM42 billion in debts.

Singapore shuttered two bank branches and jailed five bankers after finding them guilty of laundering 1MDB money through the country’s financial system.

Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, said 1MDB has made such a wave in foreign countries that Malays will not admit to being from Malaysia when they travel.

“Because if you say you are from Malaysia, the next thing they will ask you is what is going on with your prime minister. They will also ask why haven’t the Malaysians gotten rid of him.” – August 21, 2017.