An opposition leader has called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to the heed the advice of Musa Hitam and go on leave pending the completion of investigations by the special task force.
Lim Kit Siang ( photo ) also said he agrees with the notion that Malaysians should be fair to Najib and the principle that one is innocent until proven otherwise.
"But Najib must be fair to Malaysians and the nation as well...," he added.
The DAP stalwart was responding to Musa, who said Najib had three options with regard to the current situation, which were to: (i) remain in office and fight the allegations; (ii) resign as prime minister; or (iii) go on leave pending investigations.
The former deputy prime minister said he would prefer that Najib picked the third option to allow for an open and transparent probe.
"I humbly suggest that Najib take leave of absence for a certain length of period to facilitate the non-partisan investigation that is under way," he told The Malaysian Insider .
"To me, this (going on leave) is the best option that will show Najib's leadership, character, and personality, in line with the principles of parliamentary democracy," he added.
Umno in denial
Musa ( photo ), who was a former deputy president of Umno, said the party is in a state of denial over its leadership problems.
"There is a very big problem in Umno and this affects the people because Najib was legally and constitutionally elected.
"They must find an alternative and this does not mean getting the president out but looking at the options before them. But this must be done rationally, calmly, and in the interest of the country and the people.
"This is the way I will do it but unfortunately I am not there," he explained.
Musa served as deputy prime minister from 1981 to 1986 when Dr Mahathir Mohamad was spearheading the government.
Following a damning report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) last Friday, Najib accused Mahathir of collaborating with foreigners to mastermind his downfall.
The WSJ report, citing information obtained from Malaysian investigators, alleged that RM2.6 billion of 1MDB-linked funds were transferred into the premier’s personal accounts.
Yesterday, whistleblower website Sarawak Report dropped another bombshell claiming that RM2 million was deposited into Najib's wife, Rosmah Mansor’s bank account.
The WSJ allegations are being investigated by a multi-agency task force comprising Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar, Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, and Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chief Abu Kassim Mohamed.
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