MCA Youth chief Chong Sin Woon said former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad has gone overboard in his criticisms of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's leadership.

Responding to Mahathir's claims that Najib's support from the public has eroded because of his inability to stave off a slew of allegations, Chong said the facts spoke otherwise.

"Well, that's too much," said Chong. "If (only he) can provide the statistics to prove it."

Chong said that Mahathir appears to have ignored the fact that under Najib's stewardship, BN had made significant gains during the Kajang and Teluk Intan by-elections.

"I think we should give Najib a chance, he has tried very hard," he said, adding what matters is that Najib has BN's backing.

He added that there was no need for Najib to constantly explain himself to critics on allegations regarding the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), the purchase of a new private jet, his family's lifestyle and the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shariibuu.

Lose election

"He had already explained many times. As a prime minister, he shouldn't answer these issues on a daily basis but administer the country effectively," he said.

"He has already answered, so we’ll just stick to his answer," said Chong.

Mahathir had claimed that BN will lose the next general election if Najib were to continue to lead Umno.

In his blog posting yesterday, the country's longest serving PM said his prediction was based on the fact that Najib has not been able to answer a slew of allegations against him.

"The people - be it the Malays, Chinese, Indians and the other ethnic groups from Sabah and Sarawak - don't trust Najib," said Mahathir.

Chong also said Mahathir's remark was made in view of a better Malaysia and not to put Najib down.