Describing Najib Abdul Razak as the local version of King Louis XIV, former law minister Zaid Ibrahim says it is incumbent upon Malaysians to find a replacement through a peaceful manner.

"It's incumbent that we join hands to find a replacement. It's our duty to find someone who can save us from further harm," Zaid said.

He also drew outlined similarities between Najib and Louis XIV.

"That infamous French king proudly declared that he was literally the state of France (' L'etat cest moi '), which meant that whatever he said was the law and no other authority mattered. No one could or had the right to question him.

"He spent the state's money as he liked and accounted to no one, not even to the papal authority. His commands were followed and his coterie of loyal servants prospered," he added.

Like Louis XIV, Zaid noted, Najib's coffers are full.

"He inherited an enormous amount of wealth, so his office has claimed.

"When his siblings stepped in to say their late father – second prime minister Abdul Razak (Hussein) – had not been rich, Najib did not then explain where he had got his money.

"He did not even bother to tell people how much he is worth, because, like an emperor, he does not need to explain anything to anyone," he added in a blog post.

Avoiding responsibility

Zaid said when Najib's bodyguards killed Altantuya Shaariibuu, the prime minister did not feel that it was necessary to seek the motive.

"He was not at all interested to explain these strange circumstances when everyone else wants to know why this killing was carried out.

"He was only interested to swear in God's name that he had not known her. Like an emperor, he does not need to account for or explain his actions, and by extension, those of his bodyguards," he added.

On the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) quagmire, Zaid said Najib, as finance minister, is responsible for the firm.

However, he said Najib has not bothered to explain why this state-owned company has debts totaling more than RM48 billion.

"He does not seem embarrassed that this government company had to hawk the streets recently for the RM2 billion it needed to make interest payments to the banks.

"But he does not bother to answer the many questions raised regarding 1MDB because he is an emperor," he added.

PM answerable to the people

Zaid pointed out that a modern prime minister, under a parliamentary system, accepts that he is under an obligation - both legal and moral - to be answerable to the people who elected him.

"He accepts that he is a leader who has to account for his actions or inaction. This means he has to explain in plain language the issues of public interest raised by the people, as honestly as he can.

"If he fails to do so or looks down scornfully on those who poses these questions, then he must step down.

"Under these circumstances, he can only cling to power because his team of supporters are well disciplined, are afraid of him and are willing to obey his commands without question.

"But this does not alter the fact that he is no longer acting as a prime minister, but as an emperor," he added.