KUALA LUMPUR — Former Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) president Ling Liong Sik is also calling for Najib Razak to be removed as prime minister, Malaysiakini reported.

The news portal reported him saying said that he agreed with his former boss Dr Mahathir Mohamad given that Mr Najib had “taken people’s money and put it in his own personal accounts”.

“I agree with (Dr) Mahathir. Because he (Najib) has taken people’s money and put it in his own personal accounts,” Dr Ling was quoted as saying at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today (Oct 3).

His call for Najib’s ouster appears to be at odds with MCA, which has pledged its support for the prime minister, with central committee member Ti Lian Ker recently saying that Mr Najib was needed to steer Malaysia’s economy, as the nation struggled with a plunging ringgit amid a worsening global outlook.

“MCA’s stand is clear. We will focus on supporting the PM who had proven himself in steering Malaysia out of the 2008 to 2009 global economic recession which hit Malaysia badly then,” Mr Ti had said.

Dr Ling, meanwhile, described UMNO deputy minister Tajuddin Abdul Rahman’s slap remark on Malaysian Chinese as “kurang ajar” (rude), adding that he would never even think of saying something that to the Malays.

“That was a ‘kurang ajar’ speech. I have never dreamt or thought about slapping Malays.

“That is wrong. Even saying it is wrong, what more (wanting) to do it. This is ‘kurang ajar’,” Dr Ling said, according to the report. MALAYSIAN INSIDER