Malaysia's former premier sues current PM

  • 23/03/2016
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (Reuters)
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak (Reuters)

Former Malaysian premier Mahathir Mohamad has filed a suit against Prime Minister Najib Razak, alleging corruption and "misfeasance and breach of fiduciaries" in public office, his law firm says.

Mr Najib has come under criticism over allegations of corruption linked to the debt-laden state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad and deposits into his private accounts worth around US$680 million.

He has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that he did not use the funds for personal gain, and this year he was cleared of any criminal offence or corruption.

The law firm's statement on Wednesday accused Najib of "carrying out various steps that were actively and deliberately taken in bad faith ... to obstruct, interfere, impede and derail the various investigations and inquiries which were being conducted by various legal enforcement agencies".

Mr Mahathir joined several opposition leaders this month to sign a "Citizen's Declaration", calling for Mr Najib's resignation.

In the lawsuit filed in the Kuala Lumpur High Court, Mahathir was joined by Khairuddin Abu Hassan and Anina Saadudin, former members of the United Malay National Organisation, the dominant political party in the country which Mr Najib heads.

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