Ex-Malaysian Premier Quizzed Over Anti-Najib Blog, Reports Say

© Provided by The Malay Mail Online File photo of former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (right) speaking to the media during a rally organised by pro-democracy group Bersih in Kuala Lumpur, August 30, 2015. — Picture by Choo Choy…

(Bloomberg) -- Former Malaysian leader Mahathir Mohamad was questioned by police over comments made on his blog as part of his months-long campaign to remove Prime Minister Najib Razak, local media reported.

Police received several complaints over posts made by Mahathir and met with the former premier to record his response, the Malay Mail Online reported, citing police chief Khalid Abu Bakar. The New Straits Times said the complaints related to comments critical of the attorney general, who recently brought to a close a corruption probe of Najib.

Mahathir has been an outspoken critic of Najib and has used his blog to repeatedly call for the premier to resign, accusing him of corruption and mismanagement, claims Najib refutes.

Authorities opened several investigations last year into Mahathir, the country’s longest-serving leader, including whether his comments constituted defamation. Mahathir was questioned by police in November and declined to answer queries.

Mahathir’s aide and the police chief didn’t respond to text messages seeking comments.

Malaysia’s attorney general closed the door on a graft probe of Najib last month, clearing him of wrongdoing over a “personal contribution” of $681 million he received from Saudi Arabia’s royal family, and money from a company linked to a state investment fund that appeared in his personal bank accounts. Under Malaysia’s constitution, a decision to initiate criminal prosecution lies solely with the attorney general. Najib has consistently denied any wrongdoing.