ANALYSIS Since Dr Mahathir Mohamad embarked on his tirade against Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, a string of Umno leaders have come out to pledge support for their embattled president.

Even those who disagree with him on issues such as the debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) have remained silent or put their views across in a subtle manner.

So it came as a surprise when Umno lawmaker Nur Jazlan proposed that Najib seek a new mandate in snap nationwide polls.

He said this would allow the prime minister to “cleanse” himself, his family and administration of the very negative perception cast on them...