Najib Abdul Razak today secured a royal endorsement when Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah told his subjects to support the embattled prime minister.

Sultan Ahmad ( left ) said this is to maintain peace and prosperity in the country.

"Najib is a hardworking leader and I am very proud of him. Let us all pray that he remains in the leadership position

"The rakyat must support him, don't criticise without knowing the real issue," Bernama reported him as saying in Indera Mahkota.

Najib is a long-serving MP of Pekan, which is also dubbed as Pahang's Royal Town.

He has been under fire from former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad who questioned Najib's credibility and policies.The sultan is among a long list of backers who are taking turns to express support for Najib.

Mahathir among others questioned the management of Najib’s brainchild 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), which has amassed a debt of RM42 billion.

The incessant attacks by the  influential Umno veteran is reminiscent of his campaign to oust Najib’s successor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Abdullah resigned in 2008.

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