No names for Najib's replacement as PM, says Mahathir

Former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said that no names has been suggested for someone to replace Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

This is despite former law minister and joint architect of the Save Malaysia movement Zaid Ibrahim endorsing Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi as the new prime minister.

Mahathir was visiting the night market at Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman tonight, where he was promoting the Citizens' Declaration to the masses and gathering signatures, along with other prominent political figures and NGO leaders, like Selangor Menteri Azmin Ali, PKR Batu MP Tian Chua, former Bar president Ambiga Sreenevasan and Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah.

When asked by a reporter to comment on Zaid suggesting Zahid as the new prime minister, Mahathir merely said: "No, no, no. There's no name."

The Save Malaysia secretariat had also released a statement earlier today saying conventions of democracy should dictate who will replace Najib should he resign.

"We have also been regularly asked as to who will replace Najib once he is removed.

"Consistent with conventions of democracy, the secretariat is clear on its stand that the person who takes over from Najib will be the one who commands the confidence of the majority of the members of the Dewan Rakyat," it had said.

It had also said that the person who takes over must also clamp down on corruption, restore the independence of institutions and rule of law and prioritise the people's interests.

Mahathir (photo) had also said to reporters tonight that he would not apologise to Najib over his continuous attacks on the RM2.6 billion deposited into Najib's personal account.

"Najib (is the one who) should apologise," he said.

He pointed out that the Saudi Arabia foreign minister Adel Al-Jubeir only confirmed the money as a donation from the Middle Eastern country after meeting with Najib.

"Did Najib give him (Al-Jubeir) any documents to show that it is from Saudi?

"Did he bring any documents, proof, that the money was from Saudi? Just words alone doesn't count," Mahathir said.

On Thursday, Al-Jubeir had admitted that the donation to Najib indeed came from Saudi Arabia.

"We are aware of the donation and it is a genuine donation with nothing expected in return. We are also fully aware that the attorney-general of Malaysia has thoroughly investigated the matter and found no wrongdoing," he had said.

Following this, Communications and Multimedia Minister Salleh Said Keruak said Mahathir should apologise to Najib for his allegations on the RM2.6 billion.

Previously in Feb, Al-Jubeir had reportedly said that he thinks the money was for an unspecified "investment" in Malaysia. -Mkini