Suspended Umno deputy president today said Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak is consolidating his power and warned of the making of a dictator.

"In facing the rakyat's anger against the leadership, Najib is using all the powers he has to suppress dissent and silence critics.

"We are actually witnessing the collapse of democratic institutions and the emergence of a new dictator," Muhyiddin said in a statement this morning.

Muhyiddin's statement came after the Umno supreme council yesterday suspended him as the party's number two leader for his criticism of Najib.

The former deputy prime minister have launched a broadside against Najib after attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali refused to prosecute the prime minister for receiving RM42 million from state-owned SRC International and RM2.6 billion from an offshore account.

"The attorney-general is afraid to prosecute Najib simply because he was appointed by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong on the advice of the prime minister.

"Institutions like the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and Bank Negara are unable to function properly as they are being pressured by those in power.

"The National Security Council Act is made to grant the prime minister powers to declare 'security zones' which have the same impact as declaring an emergency," said Muhyiddin.

Muhyiddin said this is amid the closing of democratic space in the country.

"Day by day the country's credibility and image are increasingly affected.

"The economy is uncertain and the rakyat is faced with the rising cost of living, while the democratic and freedom spaces are shrinking.

"Those who are vocal in criticising the prime minister are arrested under security laws, news portals are blocked, and dissenters are pressured with various threats," he said.

However, Muhyiddin said he is prepared to stand with the people against tyranny.

"The rakyat must rise up to oppose tyranny and wrongdoing. Save Malaysia.

"I am prepared to stand with you in this struggle. Do not fear for the almighty is Allah," he said.

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