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Najib answerable to the public, says Badawi

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Razak is answerable to the people as it is his responsibility, says his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a reaction to the ongoing criticism by Dr Mahathir Mohamad against the current prime minister.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (C) is flanked by his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad (L) and successor Najib Razak in this 2005 file photo. Photo: Reuters

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi (C) is flanked by his predecessor Mahathir Mohamad (L) and successor Najib Razak in this 2005 file photo. Photo: Reuters

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KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s prime minister Najib Razak is answerable to the people as it is his responsibility, says his predecessor Abdullah Ahmad Badawi in a reaction to the ongoing criticism by Dr Mahathir Mohamad against the current prime minister.

“Najib will decide. He will know what he has to do (as) he must do something about it,” Mr Badawi told reporters today on Mr Najib’s silence in the face of severe criticism by former prime minister Dr Mahathir.

He added that Mr Najib also had to decide as to whether he should resign or stay.

“That is a decision he has to make. He will decide what to do.

“Because he is the prime minister, anybody who is the prime minister has the responsibility to tell the people,” Mr Badawi said after opening a seminar on biodiversity and conservation in Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Badawi, who has also been on the receiving end of Dr Mahathir’s criticism when he was prime minister, was initially reluctant to answer questions from the press on UMNO’s internal crisis which has seen pressure piling on Mr Najib to account for allegations involving strategic investment fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), his cash handout policy under BR1M, the murder of Mongolian national Altantuya Shaaribuu, and spending habits of his wife Rosmah Mansor.

On Dr Mahathir’s suggestion that Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin could be a suitable candidate to replace Mr Najib, Mr Badawi said Dr Mahathir could say whatever he wanted to.

“It is up to him what he wants to say,” he said.

He said what was happening now did not bring any benefit to the country and everyone should concentrate on doing their jobs.

He added that Mr Najib should not keep silent over the problems raise by Dr Mahathir, but said it was up to the both of them on their next course of action. THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

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