UPDATED 3.50PM | CAMERON POLLS | Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad took a stab at political rival Najib Abdul Razak when explaining Putrajaya's position in banning Israel's athletes from a world championship swimming meet to be held in Malaysia.

Lending his presence to the Pakatan Harapan by-election campaign efforts on behalf of candidate M Manogaran on the eve of polling day, Mahathir sought to appeal to Malay voters by explaining Putrajaya's stand on the matter.

He told the local residents that Malaysia had to make a stand despite garnering international criticism over its decision.

"(So) what is the reason we don't allow Israelites to come here? We say they are crooks (penyangak), and we just got rid of one crook," he said to residents of Felda Sungai Koyan today.

Mahathir had earlier this month announced that Malaysia would not grant visas to Israeli athletes for the World Para-Swimming Championships to be held in Kuching in July.

In response, Israel, with whom Malaysia has no diplomatic relations, said it would call on the International Paralympic Committee to change the venue if the latter could not persuade Malaysia to lift its edict. 

Mahathir later stated that it was Malaysia's right to close its borders to Israelis and that those from a "criminal country" cannot be let in.

The government's stance led to criticism by the Jewish community and raised concern over anti-Semitism, including by Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz recently.

"American president Donald Trump has previously said Muslims from five countries cannot enter (US). If Trump can do so, why can't I? he asked the crowd today, to be greeted by cheers.

'For love of the country'

Trump had in September last year announced a controversial travel entry ban which targetted those travelling into the country from several Muslim-majority countries namely Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen.

Mahathir then cited former premier Najib's administration, which once accepted a delegation from Israel.

He said: "In Najib's time, Israel sent representatives, he (Najib) accepted. But we (Harapan government) do not allow Israelites to take part in swimming tournament here."

Kuala Lumpur played host to the World Urban Forum (WUF) in February last year, attended by six delegates from Israel (photo, above).

The former BN government had explained it bound by the terms of the conditions, as prescribed by the UN, to allow the delegation into the country, but the move was still rebuked by the Harapan opposition at the time.

Najib also reminded the Malay-majority crowd of the 1MDB scandal and Najib's alleged involvement. The latter is facing a slew of criminal charges in relation to the fund.

"As long as I have breath left in me, I will try to fix the country. Not for money, but because of love for the country. This is our country, (I) grew up here, married here and had children here.

"Don't we care for our own country? That is why we wish to see the country ruled by those who are not thieves, but good people like (former prime ministers) Abdul Razak, Hussein Onn," he said. Abdul Razak Hussein was Malaysia's second prime minister and the father of Najib.

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