'Security threat' alarm raised over Dr M's foreign media assistance

The armed forces' veterans organisation has classified Dr Mahathir Mohamad's admission that Pakatan Harapan has sought the assistance of the foreign media to raise issues related to 1MDB as a potential national security threat.

In a statement, the organisation's national executive council, which did not name the Pakatan Harapan chairperson, said it is concerned and disappointed that several opposition politicians have invited the intervention of foreign governments in Malaysian politics.

“We feel that such actions can threaten national security and the good image of the nation among other countries.

“Such continued action can threaten national security and economic growth which would lead to Malaysians suffering as a whole regardless of their political leanings.

“We urge that the irresponsible action of tarnishing the country's good image and name be stopped immediately because it would crush the harmony and peace we have built together.

“Let internal politics remain within the country and be free of foreign intervention,” added the council.

On March 20, The Sun quoted Mahathir as stating that Harapan was forced to turn to the foreign media because the local media did not report on such issues.

Caretaker prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and his supporters have repeatedly accused Mahathir of heading a conspiracy to topple him from power.

Among others, Mahathir was accused of enlisting the foreign media such as Sarawak Report to achieve his agenda.

The 1MDB scandal erupted in 2015 after the Wall Street Journal and Sarawak Report published about the RM2.6 billion in Najib's personal accounts, which was linked to 1MDB.

Najib denied abusing public funds for personal gain and claimed that the RM2.6 billion was a donation from the Saudi royalty.

He was also cleared of any wrongdoing by attorney-general Mohamed Apandi Ali. - Mkini