If Dr Mahathir Mohamad is an anak jantan (courageous), he should challenge Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in the Pekan parliamentary seat, said Malay army veterans association president Mohd Ali Baharom.

He was responding to Mahathir's call that voters in Pekan should not support Najib in the next general election.

"I challenge Mahathir to contest in Pekan," Mohd Ali, who is popularly known as Ali Tinju, told a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Najib has been the MP of Pekan since 1976.

He contested the parliament seat in Pahang following the sudden passing of his father, second prime minister Abdul Razak Hussein.

Meanwhile, Mohd Ali ( photo ) also called on the police to arrest Mahathir for inciting the people to hate the prime minister.

He also questioned the police for not taking action.

"There has been no move by the police to summon or investigate Mahathir who is accused of clear incitement by calling Najib a thief," he added.

The army veteran also urged Mahathir to explain the allegation that his son had amassed a fortune during his 22-year tenure as prime minister.

"He must explain this immediately. Numerous press conferences have been held on this but Mahathir is still silent," he said.