Malaysian police will question ex-prime minister Mahathir Mohamad after he attended a rally at the weekend calling for his former protégé and current PM, Najib Razak, to step down.
Inspector-general of police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar was quoted across Malaysian media as saying that authorities would record a statement by the influential leader, who ruled Malaysia for 22 years, after he made accusations at the protests that members of parliament had taken bribes.
Mahathir has called for a vote of no confidence against Najib, accusing him of halting an investigation into corruption and buying politicians.
Najib is facing calls to resign after reports that he pocketed nearly $700m (£456m) from the debt-laden state fund 1 Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).
1MDB was launched in 2009 by Najib, who still chairs its advisory board. Critics say it has been opaque in explaining its dealings.
“We will call him [Mahathir]. He has made speeches and accusations,” Abu Bakar was quoted as saying by online news outlets.
“Among them, he claimed UMNO leaders had taken bribes, so we want to find out more,” he said, referring to the ruling United Malays National Organisation, of which both Najib and Mahathir are members.
Bernama, Malaysia’s state news agency, confirmed that police would record Mahathir’s statement for attending the Bersih 4 rally, but did not elaborate.
The scandal, coupled with an increase in prices in Malaysia due to a devalued currency and an implementation of a goods sales tax, has presented Najib with the most dangerous threat yet to his time in office.
The fourth demonstration by Bersih, which means “clean” in Malay, was the largest. Bersih, a coalition of Malaysian non-governmental organisations, filled the streets with people in yellow T-shirts calling for accountability on Saturday and Sunday. The protest’s organisers have also been called for questioning as the rallies were deemed illegal.
Mahathir, 90, attended both days and said he did not support Bersih but was there to demand Najib’s resignation.
“The only way for the people to get back to the old system is for them to remove this prime minister,” he said at the weekend.
“And to remove him, the people must show people’s power.”
