Dr M’s remarks on Najib reek of desperation, says Kelantan Umno leader

KOTA BARU: The allegations levelled against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad show that the former prime minister is desperate, said Kelantan Umno yesterday.

State Umno information chief Datuk Md Alwi Che Ahmad said Dr Mahathir, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) chairman, was risking his reputation by making “baseless” claims.

“By doing so, the people will not respect him. And in Islam, it is not good to insult other Muslims, including the prime minister’s family.”

Alwi, who is also Kemubu Agriculture Development Authority (Kada) chairman, said this during a corruption-free pledge at Kada’s office in Lundang yesterday.

Present was state Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission director Datuk Moh Shamsuddin Yusof.

Alwi was commenting on Dr Mahathir ’s recent remarks, in which he allegedly referred to the Bugis community as “pirates”.

Dr Mahathir, during the “Love Malaysia, Anti-Kleptocracy Rally” organised by Pakatan Harapan on Oct 14, allegedly said Malaysia was being led by a prime minister who came from the Bugis community.

In Pasir Gudang, the Johor Buginese Association has challenged Dr Mahathir to return the Darjah Kerabat medal bestowed on him by the sultan of Johor if he truly dislikes the Bugis community.

Association president Datuk Awang Datuk Awang Mohamad said this was because Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar was of Bugis descent.

“We were shocked that someone of Dr Mahathir’s stature would make such a statement. Even if he hates someone, there is no need to insult his ancestry.”

He was referring to the Darjah Kerabat Johor Yang Amat Dihormati Pangkat Pertama, which was bestowed on Dr Mahathir in 1989.

Awang said the association and its affiliates lodged seven reports against Dr Mahathir.