An Umno lawmaker has recalled Dr Mahathir Mohamad's claim that Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak feared travelling to the United States as he might be arrested.
Irmohizam Ibrahim dismissed this as “cheap politics” by the opposition.
The Kuala Selangor MP said the fact is, Najib received a warm welcome and was escorted by the secret service from the Andrews Joint Air Force Base to the White House for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
“This clearly shows the US government appreciates Najib's leadership by inviting him to the White House and holding a discussion with him.
“Apart from this, it is also an acknowledgement and symbolises Malaysia's close relationship with other countries, including the US,” he added in a media statement.
Irmohizam also took a swipe at PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli over his remarks concerning Najib's meeting with Trump, which the Umno MP claimed stemmed from envy.
Among others, Rafizi claimed that Najib's was not on an official visit given the absence of certain protocols.
In Sept 2015, Mahathir raised the possibility of Najib being arrested if he leaves Malaysia in relation to the 1MDB case.
"Those countries - Switzerland, Britain, America - if they find Najib doing any money laundering (activities) they can ask Interpol to arrest him if he goes overseas," he was reported as saying.
Meanwhile, Umno Youth vice chief Khairul Azwan Harun said both Rafizi and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia deputy president Mukhriz Mahathir “have lost all sense of substance” in attacking Najib over his meeting with Trump.
"It is clear that both - who are currently facing internal rejection by their fellow party leaders - have lost all sense of substance in their usual ‘oppose for the sake of opposing’ modus operandi.
"Mukhriz and Rafizi seem to be desperate in making statements that are low minded, sensational and fact-less to remain relevant," Khairul Azwan said in a statement today.
Both Mukhriz and Rafizi have rubbished Najib's trip to the US as being a personal one, and not an official visit.
Najib met Trump at the White House yesterday where the two discussed trade and security matters.
Trump said Malaysia could invest between US$10 billion to US$20 billion in the aviation sector - US$10 billion of which would be purchases of Boeing aircraft by Malaysia Airlines Berhad.
Najib, meanwhile, said the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) would invest between US$3 billion to US$4 billion to support US infrastructure development.
Mukhriz claimed the investments would further burden the people, who are already suffering from the effects of the goods and services tax.
Khairul Azwan, however, said Najib's meeting with Trump was an achievement in many aspects.
"The close relationship that our prime minister has with President Trump ensures continued investment opportunities to benefit both countries," he said.
On the other hand, former Perkasa Youth chief Irwan Fahmi Ideris said while there was nothing wrong in investing, why was the EPF – a fund for pensioners – chosen as an investor.
“Using funds from the EPF is not suitable, as MAS’ current financial situation does not look so convincing.
“EPF funds should not be used as the government’s main source in such a big investment,” he said.
“Aren’t there other financial sources that can be used? This shows how the finance minister has failed to administer the country’s finances,” he added. -Mkini
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