Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is still tight-lipped on attacks on his credibility by his predecessor Dr Mahathir Mohamad, a week after the allegations were made.

At a function in Kuala Lumpur today, this reporter had attempted to seek a response from Najib as he was leaving the venue.

As soon the word "Mahathir" cropped up in the sentence, Najib raised his hand to gesture that he was not going to entertain the question.

Najib's bodyguards also pulled the reporter away. Another bodyguard pointed his finger at the reporter while leaving, to signal that the reporter should not pursue any more questions.

This comes after Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin ( left ) had urged  the government to stop behaving like an ostrich with its head in the sand and for Najib to address Mahathir's questions.

 

In his blog last Thursday, Mahathir said BN and UMNO will lose in the 14th general election if Najib continues to lead.

 

He also said Najib has not been able to answer a slew of questions against him, including on 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB), the government’s purchase of a private jet and on the Altantuya case. 

Apart from Khairy, there were other BN MPs who had urged Najib to stand up to Mahathir, who had asked who had ordered the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaariibuu.

Police commandos assigned to Najib as bodyguards had been charged and convicted for the murder.

 

Following Mahathir's ( right ) criticism, Perkasa Youth , while expressing support for Mahathir , also accused Najib of "destroying his own race".

 

Thus far, Najib's deputy Muhyiddin Yasin, whom Mahathir has deemed as "the most eligible candidate" to take over as prime minister, has remained silent over Mahathir's attacks. 

Ku Nan keeps mum too

Umno secretary-general Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor also chose not to respond to Mahathir’s comments. 

 

Upon hearing the word "Mahathir" today, Tengku Adnan ( left ) immediately replied "no comment" several times before getting into his car. 

 

The Federal Territory Minister only said "goodbye" and "take care" before leaving. 

 

Mahathir had said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Shahidan Kassim had mooted Tengku Adnan mediating but it never materialised .  

 

He added neither had Tengku Adnan taken the initiative to do so.