Dr Mahathir Mohamad has accused Najib Abdul Razak of buying off BN lawmakers critical of him, including one who purportedly has documentary evidence of the prime minister’s misconduct.

In his latest blog post, the former premier said BN MPs are now beholden to Najib after he had given them lucrative government posts.

"Even those who had come to me complaining about Najib’s administration before, upon being given posts in his government, have now changed their stand.

"One of them who claimed to have documentary evidence of Najib’s misconduct, now gladly supports him upon being made minister," he added.

In the blog posting titled ‘Upside Down Law’, the nonagenarian however did not name the minister he was referring to.

However, it is a known fact that four BN members from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) which is probing 1MDB had been promoted, with one made a minister and three more, deputy ministers. PAC chairperson Nur Jazlan Mohamed was given the deputy home minister portfolio.

Mahathir (photo) said other BN MPs have also been turned around after "short, closed-door talks and appeals to greed".

"Even (BN Backbenchers club president) Shahrir Abdul Samad now claims it is proper to receive money from the president.

"It is really improper. All donations in the past were made to the party’s fund operated by the trustees. Support for the president is only so far as he implements party policies. It is not personally to him.

"He (Shahrir) has openly said since they received money from him, they should support him. This is bribery. Is the president bribing Umno leaders to gain support?" he asked

Mahathir remarked that such incidents are a blatant attempt by Najib and his supporters to make the illegitimate become legitimate.

Najib’s move to stop the 1MDB probe and his own possession of RM2.6 billion in his personal accounts, Mahathir said, is made to appear legal and right while the investigators who were acting completely in accordance with the laws of the country are accused of acting outside their terms of reference and therefore not legitimate.

'The end of parliamentary democracy'

Mahathir observed that Najib had openly said that since they received money from him, then they should support him.

The elder statesman described this as nothing short of bribery.

"He has corrupted Umno and those who accepted money from him support corruption in the party.

"Seriously, Najib has made Umno - the party that won independence for Malaysia - into a rotten and corrupt party. People are disgusted with Umno now," he stated.

Mahathir recognised that reports and comments in the alternative media, among the opposition, and expressed by many Malaysians show they are truly worried and angry over Najib's abuse of power.

He further warned of the possibility of Najib going beyond, towards rigging elections to ensure he wins in the next polls.

He warned that Najib's lack of respect for the law and constitution and his willingness to buy politicians and civil servants may mean the end of parliamentary democracy in Malaysia.

“It can mean no opposition just as in UMNO opposition to him has been snuffed out.”