KUALA LUMPUR -- Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is the subject of a probe by authorities related to anti-government remarks he published on his personal blog.
Khalid Abu Bakar, the chief of police, revealed on Monday that the police are investigating the 90-year-old former statesman, based on reports made against his recent blog post on the government's handling of corruption cases involving Prime Minister Najib Razak.
"The police report was received a day or two ago," Khalid was quoted as saying by state news agency Bernama. He added that the police will press charges if "there is a case for action to be taken."
Since the beginning of last year, Mahathir has been critical of Najib and even called for the prime minister's resignation for his handling of troubled state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad.
He stepped up his attacks after the attorney general's office decided last month to close the inquiry into the nearly $700 million in Najib's personal bank accounts. In one post dated Feb. 3, he questioned Attorney General Mohamed Apandi Ali's will to cooperate with international investigations into funds allegedly linked to Najib, the person who appointed him.
The Swiss attorney general's office said in a statement on Jan. 29 that it is looking into misappropriated funds amounting to $4 billion linked to 1MDB and requested mutual assistance from its Malaysian counterparts.
Mahathir appears to be fully aware the consequences of his tongue-lashing against the government. In his latest blog entry on Monday, citing a threat by a ruling party official, he warned of the possibility that he could be arrested.
He was questioned last November by the police over his anti-government remarks but was not charged. His son, Mukhriz Mahathir, was forced to resign as a state chief minister earlier this month due to his criticism of Najib.
News from Channel News Asia
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