PM admits preventing Najib from leaving country
PETALING JAYA: Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad yesterday confirmed that he prevented his predecessor Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his wife from leaving the country.
“It is true that I prevented Najib and his wife (Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor) from leaving the country, as far as I know only he and his wife. I’m not aware of any other people,” he told a press conference after chairing the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council meeting here today.
Najib and Rosmah have been blacklisted by the Immigration Department from going abroad, forcing a last-minute cancellation today of their plans to take a break overseas.
According to Dr Mahathir, there were lots of complaints against Najib and all of them had to be investigated.
The prime minister said if some of the complaints turned out to be valid, action had to be taken fast to avoid issues such as extradition involving other countries.
The prime minister also had meetings with Armed Forces Chief General Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
Asked on the meetings, Dr Mahathir explained they were held to give certain instructions besides reminding them of their responsibilities under their respective jurisdictions. “I had to issue directives to them on many things that must be done now under the power that I have and their responsibilities.
“For example, if I want Najib not to leave the country, I cannot go to the airport and detain Najib, I have to ask those who are empowered to do so,” he said.