Dr M moots rally against Najib in view of damning claims

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has suggested that Malaysians hold a peaceful rally to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

"Malaysians are timid. In other countries, millions take to the streets. Malaysians are very nice, we don't normally hold such (protests).

"I think we should have a peaceful rally to demand for the removal of the (prime minister)," he told a press conference in Putrajaya today.

Former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, who was also present, added that the election watchdog is considering this.

The DOJ said US$731 million was allegedly siphoned from 1MDB into a bank account owned by the unnamed 'Malaysian Official 1'.

The department's description of Malaysian Official 1 in its court document has sparked speculation that it refers to Najib.

"It really doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. It's definitely the prime minister. I will stake my reputation on that," said Ambiga.

"So I think it's very clear who it (Malaysian Official 1) is. I don't think anyone dares to deny that it is the prime minister," she said.

Mahathir also suggested that a referendum be called for Najib's resignation, but added that the people must be the ones to call for it.

Ambiga said she supported the idea, as long as it was not facilitated by the Election Commission.

Meanwhile, Mahathir said he was still in the process of setting up a new party and was trying to get it done as soon as possible.

"We are aware that if we try to register a new party, it is not going to be approved or it will take months and years.

"But we will set up this party and we will make a formal declaration as to our objectives," he said.

Mahathir had last week confirmed that a new political party would be formed and that a new coalition would also be set up to further the Save Malaysia movement’s objectives.