SHAH ALAM - The prime minister candidate for the coming general elections will be a close ally of Datuk Seri Najib Razak and not the present prime minister, said Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said today.
In his latest blog post, the Pejuang chairman added the new Barisan Nasional-led government would look into freeing Najib from his 12-year jail sentence.
"There are a lot of Umno members who want the general elections held as soon as possible. Would Ismail Sabri be Umno’s prime minister if Umno wins? Surely not,” Mahathir said.
"The one who will become the prime minister would be a strong supporter of Najib. For the government to be formed, their main (objective) is to free Najib from his 12-year jail sentence.”
The nonagenarian further spoke on Najib’s stepson Riza Aziz, who faced charges but was turned into a discharge not amounting to acquittal after agreeing to a settlement deal with prosecutors.
"After stealing billions of ringgit, Najib, who is found guilty, will not be jailed for even a day,” Mahathir added.
"This is justice in Malaysia. Steal a chicken and get jailed immediately. That's why steal billions. (Even if) found guilty by the courts. Give back half a billion. Freed.”
Najib is facing 12 years’ jail and fined RM210 million after he was found guilty of abuse of power, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering in a case linked to SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of scandal-tainted sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB)