Prime Minister Najib Razak, right; dismissed Muhyiddin Yassin, left, on Tuesday |
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak has sacked his deputy in a
cabinet reshuffle after Muhyiddin Yassin had called on the leader to explain a
growing corruption scandal at debt-laden state investment fund 1MDB.
Muhyiddin
had said at the
weekend the ruling coalition could lose the next election if
Najib and others did not better manage issues stemming from the scandal at
1Malaysia Development Berhad, which has debts of more than $11bn.
Muhyiddin
has been replaced by Home Minister Zahid Hamidi, a right-wing politician
well-liked by members of the United Malays National Organisation party, which
has led Malaysian coalition governments since independence in 1957.
“The
decision to replace Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was very difficult, but leadership
is about doing what you think is right,” Najib said in a speech on Tuesday.
“Nevertheless,
I thank Tan Sri Muhyiddin for all his work and dedication to the government and
country, as I do all those ministers who are no longer in the cabinet.”
Bernama
news agency reported on Tuesday that Najib also sacked Attorney General
Abdul Gani Patail, who was involved in investigations into corruption
allegations related to the Najib-linked company.
The
prime minister, who launched 1MDB in 2009, has vehemently denied any
wrongdoing.
Najib
told his deputy and other officials on Monday to stop commenting on the scandal
at the investment fund, saying arguments among leaders would erode support for
the government.
No comments:
Post a Comment